Bennett all-in for Maroons triumph

WILY WAYNE PLAYS HIS CARDS RIGHT IN CAMP

MASTER coach Wayne Bennett is renowned for his mentoring tactics and it’s been no different in Camp Maroon.

On the eve of the Origin series opener in Adelaide, Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-evans has opened up about Bennett’s involvement during the first week of Queensland camp – from playing cards to pumping iron in the gym with the players.

The sprightly 70-yearold hasn’t just been sitting in front of the drawing board and devising a master plan to cause an Origin upset.

He’s also been busy getting involved in the players’ day-to-day lives inside the Queensland Origin camp on the Gold Coast.

Cherry-evans has revealed how his influence had helped relax the largely inexperienced Origin squad ahead of Wednesday night’s blockbuster.

“You should see him in the gym – he would put all of us to shame,” CherryEvans said.

“Wayne does work out. “That’s probably the best thing I’ve enjoyed about Wayne’s company.

“It’s not just selective, he literally does involve himself in everything.

“Whether that’s playing cards, or out on the field, or when the boys are doing weights, Wayne does put himself in everything.

“His calming influence is great to have around.”

The Queensland coaching staff has a remarkable amount of Origin experience – balancing out the inexperience of the players.

Forward Josh Papalii is the most experienced Queensland player with 15 Origin games under his belt.

However, the Bennett and Mal Meninga alliance has a combined 52 games as coach and 14 Origin series wins between them.

Cherry-evans said it was this experience from the top that had Queensland prepared for New South Wales tomorrow night.

“When people do talk from experience, it makes you become more assured and certain of what’s to come,” he said.

“If we’ve got Mal telling us to expect this or expect that, that means we’re going to be more prepared about what’s to come.

“We’re not going underestimate NSW.

“We’ve got too many people who have played or been involved in too many Origin series to understand what’s at stake.

“We’ll be more than prepared and a lot of the preparation has come from the coaching staff.” to