Wayne Bennett ready to welcome Greg Inglis to Broncos with open arms

EXCLUSIVE: Wayne Bennett has opened the door for Greg Inglis to join the Broncos, and the club has explored ways to fit him under the salary cap.

WAYNE Bennett has opened the door for Greg Inglis to join the Broncos.

On the eve of Saturday night’s Indigenous-World All Stars clash at Suncorp Stadium, Bennett said he would never reject Inglis if the Souths ace wanted to return to Brisbane.

World All Stars coach Bennett will try to mastermind the downfall of the Indigenous side which will be led by Inglis before 40,000 fans at Suncorp.

Inglis will decide later this year whether to stay loyal to Souths or finish his NRL career in Broncos colours.

Inglis reneged on a handshake deal to join the Broncos in 2010 but his management said Bennett’s presence now makes Brisbane an attractive option for the 29-year-old.

“I don’t know if Greg will finish his career at the Broncos, but in the right time and right place, of course I’d be interested in him,” Bennett said.

“I would never turn my back on Greg Inglis if that’s what he wants.

“If his desire is to come back to Brisbane to play, I wouldn’t say no, but we haven’t got that far yet.’’

World All Stars coach Wayne Bennett and Indigenous All Stars captain Greg Inglis chat at Suncorp Stadium.

Rumours that Inglis wanted to shift to the Broncos intensified last year after he and wife Sally bought a house in the Brisbane suburb of Sandgate.

The Broncos have privately explored ways to accommodate Inglis under the salary cap, preferably for next season.

One major barrier is that Inglis is contracted to Souths until the end of next season and would have to seek a release to play under Bennett.

The Broncos need backline strikepower to break the longest title drought in the club’s history. Bennett recently offloaded Dale Copley to snare speed demon James Roberts and British Test centre Jack Reed would probably have to be jettisoned to make way for Inglis.

“We’ve got Darius Boyd at fullback so we’ll see what happens,” Bennett said.

“But I’ve seen Greg confront and meet some challenges and the way he presents himself today is outstanding.

“Greg has matured a lot as a person and player. A lot of things have helped him, playing for Queensland and all the things he has done, he is a wonderful person.

“He has had his demons over the years, and battles to fight. People are quick to criticise NRL players these days but it’s a process for some guys and Greg has come a long way.

“He’s an outstanding individual.’’

Indigenous All Stars captain Greg Inglis and World All Stars captain Cameron Smith. Picture: Peter Wallis

Souths coach Michael Maguire has no concerns about Inglis seeing out his contract at Redfern

“It was only a week ago, launching his wax likeness at the NRL museum, where Greg said he was committed to Souths for the next two years,” Maguire said.

“For us, that’s exciting.’’

Inglis has enjoyed his first full off-season since 2005 and his physical condition wowed Indigenous All Stars colleagues when he trained for the first time this week.

“This is the first time I have done the pre-season in a long time. I usually miss the majority of the pre-season,” Inglis said.

“I still am the same weight but I am doing more weightlifting at the moment.

“Never in my dreams would I have ever played more than 200 games.

“I am waking up, loving what I do, day in, day out. I am living my dream.’’

Originally published as Wayne Bennett ready to welcome Greg Inglis to Broncos with open arms