JT STANCE ENRAGES BENNETT
QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters is facing a showdown with Wayne Bennett as tensions over the selection of Broncos whizkid Anthony Milford for Origin I reached flashpoint last night.
News Corp Australia understands Bennett will seek answers from Queensland hierarchy today amid explosive claims the Maroons have broken a promise to the Broncos super coach.
Champion playmaker Johnathan Thurston is under an injury cloud for Origin I, prompting Walters to name him as 18th man, with Milford handed the famous Maroons No. 6 jumper.
Bennett released Milford from the Broncos on Monday having allegedly received assurances that the Maroons would decide Thurston’s fate for Origin I today.
But Thurston yesterday revealed he would be given until Wednesday – the night of Origin I at Suncorp Stadium – to prove his fitness for the series opener.
Bennett was hoping to receive notification from Walters today in the hope Milford would be free to play for the Broncos, who leave today for Saturday night’s NRL clash against the Warriors in Auckland.
But with Thurston having another six days to prove his fitness, Milford remains in limbo in Camp Maroon, leaving the depleted Broncos without six Origin stars for the Warriors game.
Bennett and Walters declined to comment last night. But the Broncos coach is believed to be seething over Queensland’s handling of the Milford affair and the changing deadline surrounding Thurston’s fitness.
Walters insists he is not misleading Bennett, saying Thurston has earned the right as a Maroons great to be given every opportunity to play his 37th consecutive Origin game.
“I would like to play,” Thurston said.
“I have a lot of work to do to be right, but that’s what I am here for. The team will come first. If my shoulder isn’t 100 per cent I won’t play.
“Kevvie ( Queensland coach Kevin Walters) has given me until kick- off but there are a lot of training sessions to get through before then.”
The selection saga first surfaced last Friday, when Bennett revealed he would not release Milford for Origin duty unless he was guaranteed selection in the Maroons’ 17- man squad.
At the time, Milford was set to be installed as 18th man as a shadow player for Thurston, but Bennett softened his stance when Walters advised him the Broncos sensation would be named in the No. 6 jumper.
However, Thurston’s revelation that he could play in Origin I, potentially leaving Milford on the sidelines for both the Broncos and Queensland, has Bennett demanding answers.
Asked what advice doctors had given him, Thurston didn’t sugar- coat a potentially bitter pill.
“The risk is I tear it completely and that is the season gone,” he said.
“Hopefully I will be right for Wednesday but in my head if I’m not right to go I have full faith in ‘ Milf’ to do the job for us.”
Bennett said last week: “Just because Queensland can’t make a decision on Thurston, that’s not my problem.”