Challenges keep coming for Queensland coach Wayne Bennett after Brimson scratched

Queensland coach Wayne Bennett is facing more challenges after J Brimson was ruled out for the remainder of the State of Origin series

AJ Brimson has been ruled out for the Maroons Picture: Getty Images

Queensland players lined up to praise Wayne Bennett after their stunning win in the opening State of Origin game but the challenges keep mounting for the master coach, who will now be without fullback AJ Brimson for the ­remainder of the series.

Brimson’s scratching with a Lisfranc injury in his foot means the Maroons will head to ANZ Stadium next week with their third-choice fullback – Kalyn Ponga was ruled out before the series began.

Brimson was devastated at his involvement coming to a premature end, although he could take solace in the way he handled himself on debut at the Adelaide Oval.

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It was another bitter blow to Queensland, who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds and expectations to take the lead in the series and leave the Blues on the brink.

While Queensland will be forced into change, they have the luxury of welcoming Valentine Holmes back from suspension. The Blues are mulling over changes by choice, the most serious in the halves where Luke Keary and Nathan Cleary are under pressure.

Neither covered themselves in glory and coach Brad Fittler must decide whether to make change – he could bring Cody Walker into the starting side or move Jack Wighton from the centres.

Clint Gutherson is also under pressure to retain his place in the centres and it could be that Steve Crichton and Zac Lomax play in Origin II. The Maroons will make minimal changes. Brimson aside, makeshift centre Kurt Capewell is also under an injury cloud after producing the performance of his career.

Capewell detailed after the game the full extent of the injury.

“My groin was tight during the week and it tightened up late in the game,” the Panthers second rower-turned-centre said.

“I didn’t want to go off because we didn’t have any centres on the bench but it got to the stage when they scored that last try where I just couldn’t move.

The mastermind behind one of the Maroons’ great wins was Bennett, whose return to Origin reminded everyone why he is one of the greatest coaches in the game’s history. His players are in awe.

“He is a different cat, hey,” forward Josh Papalii said.
“I was very nervous coming into camp. I texted him before I came into camp – I was pretty nervous meeting him for the first time. His reply was you better be nervous.

“I missed a meeting and one of the first rules was no shit haircuts. I walked in with a full-on mullet. He is pretty cool to work with.

“He makes you feel confident in yourself and he is a very honest judge of my performance. That is perfect for me.”

Remarkably, the one time Papalii had come across Bennett was eight years ago in an Emerging Maroons camp.

“You know Wayne, he doesn’t shake hands or anything like that,” Papalii said. “That was it. I don’t usually (get nervous). I am one to be myself. It is a bit different with Wayne. He has coached the best players in the world and he has got the best out of players who thought they weren't worthy of it.

“I thought I was one of those. I am just enjoying my time with Wayne and teaming up with Mal (Meninga) and Neil (Henry) as well. When I look at Wayne, I probably think the scope of who he is as a person. He coaches me as a person before a player.

“I really admire that.”

Papalii’s comments were echoed by hooker Jake Friend, who starred on his Origin debut.

“He is a very different to what I have watched on TV,” Friend said.
“He is a great coach, he has been around for a long time, he is a great motivator, he knows footy. Personally, I have been in a system at the Roosters for a long time.

“I have never really been involved with lot of other coaches or players. It is really good to get around different guys.”