Wayne Bennett bans Karl Stefanovic’s camera crew from State of Origin series

Karl Stefanovic’s plan to have camera crews inside the State of Origin camps has been shut down by Queensland coach Wayne Bennett.

Wayne Bennett and Karl Stefanovic.

Queensland Maroons coach Wayne Bennett has reportedly banned a documentary crew from filming behind-the-scenes footage of November’s State of Origin series.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 State of Origin was postponed to November and will for the first time take place after the NRL Grand Final.

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After Kevin Walters was named the new head coach of the Brisbane Broncos in September, Bennett was rushed in as his replacement for the Maroons.

According to The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield, Channel 9 presenter Karl Stefanovic had organised for a film crew to follow the New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons camps throughout the month-long competition.

Wayne Bennett, coach of the Rabbitohs.

The documentary would have stylistically mimicked ESPN’s The Last Dance — based on Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls — and Amazon docu-series The Test, which followed the Australian men’s cricket team.

However, despite being given the right to veto parts of the documentary which could be perceived as damaging, Bennett and the QRL have banned the camera crews, as revealed by Rothfield.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys reportedly attempted to convince Bennett to change his mind, to no avail.

The decision could have a damaging impact on the sport, as it denies an opportunity to introduce a new audience to rugby league.

Stan and other streaming outlets were reportedly bidding for the rights.

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Cameron Munster of the Maroons.

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Bennett has named 21 players for Queensland’s 27-man squad, which is shaping up to be one of the most inexperienced Maroons teams in decades.

The 2020 State of Origin series will commence on Wednesday, November 4 at Adelaide Oval.