Bennett steps in for Maroons

SYDNEY: Wayne Bennett will make a stunning return to State of Origin after being named Queensland coach for the 2020 series.

The Maroons announced yesterday Bennett would take over for the series after new Brisbane coach Kevin Walters was forced to step away from the job.

With less than five weeks until the opening Origin clash in Adelaide, Bennett’s experience under current NRL rules as South Sydney coach won him the role.

It has been 16 years since Bennett coached a Queensland side, but during his time he won five of seven series for the Maroons. He also masterminded the first series clean sweep for the state in 1988.

His appointment leaves the door open for Queensland to appoint a coach with no NRL ties for 2021 and beyond.

‘‘I love coaching Queensland and I’m extremely humbled to be invited to coach this team again, particularly in light of the challenging circumstances with Kevin moving on to coach the Broncos,’’ Bennett said.

Game one of the threeweek series starts on November 4. — AAP