Bennett’s advice for Blues to choose Jet
WAYNE Bennett has called for NSW to unleash James Roberts on the Origin stage, declaring the Broncos centre’s “terrifying” speed could break Queensland’s hearts in the Suncorp decider.
Bennett’s warning is backed by statistics that show Roberts has 40 more tackle busts than Hayne this season.
The in-form Roberts has one final chance to impress NSW coach Laurie Daley when he wages a centre shootout with Storm and Queensland rival Will Chambers tomorrow night at Suncorp Stadium.
Hayne came under fire for his erratic Origin II display and Bennett believes Blues hierarchy must make a tough call by dumping either the Titans superstar or Josh Dugan to accommodate Roberts.
Bennett knows an Origin player when he sees one.
He coached Queensland 21 times in seven series across three stints between 1986-2003 and says the Blues would be foolish to overlook the most dangerous attacking centre in the NRL.
“James is ready for Origin. They should pick him,” Bennett said.
“I saw Laurie Daley interviewed some weeks ago and he said they weren’t going to beat Queensland by defending them – they wanted to out-attack them. Well, that’s what James brings.
“He is one of the best carriers of the football in the game. Defensively, he stands up as well. I don’t know if NSW will make changes but if they do, then he’d be one guy I’d be looking hard at.
“The guy marking up against him would go to bed the night before thinking a hell of a lot about him.
“NSW won’t ring me about James Roberts. But they see James every week ... if they can’t make a decision based on that, then I can’t help them.”
The Broncos ace has more tries (10 to 6), more running metres (135 to 86), more linebreaks (9 to 5) and more try assists (4 to 3) than the Titans’ $1.2 million man.
The most striking statistic relates to tackle breaks, with Roberts leading Hayne 52-12 – underlining his combination of strength, speed and agility when running the ball.
Broncos legend and former Maroons centre Steve Renouf has no doubt “The Jet” would flourish in the code’s toughest arena.
“They should give him a go,” Renouf said.