NRL

Coaching legend Wayne Bennett has thrown his support behind Cameron Smith to be Queensland’s next State of Origin coach with the position suddenly vacant for 2027 after Billy Slater’s shock departure on Friday.

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While declaring he didn’t think the QRL will have an issue finding someone suitable to take Slater’s place, 76-year-old Bennett even suggested he’d be prepared to take the job on again himself if needed.

“Cam Smith is the ideal choice,” Bennett told The Courier Mail.

“He’s a great player and he has been part of the Queensland system before as an assistant to Billy… there’s no doubt for me he would be great.

“If he wanted to do it, he would handle it.”

Asked if he would consider stepping in yet again if his state came calling, having last coached the Maroons during the Covid disrupted season of 2020, Bennett didn’t entirely rule it out.

“I am not really interested to be honest… obviously, I love Queensland, so if they can’t get a coach, I will consider it, but I don’t think they will have an issue finding someone,” he said.

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“I left in 2020 when I was still at Souths, we won the series with that Covid season in 2020 and the QRL wanted me to stay on.

“But I know the impact Origin coaching has on a club and I didn’t want to interrupt Souths’ 2021 season.”

Other candidates for the Maroons job in 2027 are believed to include Ben Te’o, Jonathan Thurston, Kevin Walters and Matt Ballin.

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