Lockyer’s fine with Bennett reunion

MAROONS selector Darren Lockyer insists his fractured relationship with Wayne Bennett will not derail Queensland’s quest to snap a State of Origin losing streak.

The Queensland Rugby League will announce today that Bennett will replace Broncos-bound Kevin Walters as Maroons coach for next month’s series.

Bennett will return to the helm of the Maroons for a oneoff campaign which will be his fourth stint in the Queensland coaching hot seat.

The appointment of Bennett will place the South Sydney coach at the same selection table as Lockyer, a Broncos board member who Bennett feels contributed to his sacking from Brisbane in 2018.

Bennett and Lockyer had a father-son style relationship during Brisbane’s golden years but the duo fell out sensationally two years ago during the Broncos’ civil war.

Bennett felt the Broncos board went behind his back in chasing Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy and believes Lockyer failed to fight for him in the corridors of power when the club later signed Anthony Seibold.

While Lockyer has reached out to Bennett, the super coach has told close friends he has no intention of ever smoking the peace pipe with his former Broncos skipper.

But that must now change. Bennett and Lockyer will come face-to-face on Queensland’s selection panel in the coming weeks ahead of Game One in Adelaide on November 4.

Lockyer said he would not let his beef with Bennett hamper Queensland’s campaign.

“His departure from the Broncos did put a strain on our relationship but I’m really looking forward to working together with Wayne again with a common purpose,” Lockyer said. “Wayne is one of the greatest coaches in bringing a group together and playing for each other. It’s something that is critical to success in the Origin arena.”