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Message: [QUOTE="Super Freak, post: 2889819, member: 8536"] [ATTACH=full]2074[/ATTACH] [SIZE=6] [B]Wayne Bennett denies falling out with Kevin Walters, saying the pair’s friendship remains strong[/B][/SIZE] October 23, 2017 WAYNE Bennett has rubbished suggestions he fell out with Kevin Walters and says the Maroons coach’s return to the Broncos is evidence their 32-year friendship remains intact. Walters will reprise his role as Bennett’s assistant at the Broncos next month, adding another chapter to one of rugby league’s most fascinating narratives. As a player, Walters, one of Brisbane’s favourite sons, won five premierships under Bennett, but their relationship suffered a major ruction when the champion playmaker joined the coaching ranks. Bennett sacked Walters as his assistant in 2005, insisting he needed to leave the club to broaden his skill set. At the time, Walters claimed he was axed because he wasn’t a “yes man”. Tensions then resurfaced earlier this year when Bennett’s Broncos and Walters’ Maroons were embroiled in a selection tug of war over Brisbane sensation Anthony Milford. Bennett had refused to release Milford to Camp Maroon if he was going to be named 18th man as a shadow player for the injured Johnathan Thurston for Origin I. Walters outfoxed the master coach, naming Thurston as 18th man and handing Milford the No. 6 jumper — leaving Bennett no choice but to release his star pivot for Origin duty. Bennett’s sacking of Walters more than a decade ago has fuelled a perception that there is a deep wound that can never be truly healed, but the Broncos coach insists talk of a toxic rift is purely speculative. “I’m at war with everybody if you believe the headlines,” Bennett said. “I’ve only ever had Kevin’s best interests at heart. “I’ve had an association with him since 1985 when I coached him in a Queensland under-19s side. “I took Kevvie to Canberra and brought him back to Brisbane. We have been friends for many years and our relationship is strong. He is passionate about the Broncos, so I am pleased to have him back here.” When Walters accepted the Maroons post in 2015, Bennett advised him he could not continue as his assistant. Asked why he is now allowing Walters to return, Bennett argued the landscape has shifted. “Kevin has done two years at Origin level, he has won both series so he is more experienced now,” Bennett said. “When he first got the Origin job, I was adamant that Kevvie couldn’t coach the Broncos in the short term. “I felt that way because it was important that he had to make a success of it without distraction. If he didn’t make a success of it, people would have jumped on him saying you’re affected by the Broncos job. “I didn’t want that distraction for us or him, there would have been headlines everywhere. “But Kevin now has it worked out with Queensland so coming back can help make him a better coach. “I’ve assured Kevvie and the Queensland Rugby League that his role at the Broncos won’t impact on his commitments to the Maroons. “When Origin comes around and Kevvie has to be away for a few weeks, that’s fine, he can focus on Queensland. He will have a role at the Broncos but when Origin duties call, he will have our blessing to go and do that.” Source: [URL='http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/broncos/wayne-bennett-denies-falling-out-with-kevin-walters-saying-the-pairs-friendship-remains-strong/news-story/9ccc81bbdb386589806bb8d1a66bee5a']Courier Mail[/URL] [/QUOTE]

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