Whilst currently being at the helm of the finals-bound Souths and the England national team, Wayne Bennett's expressed interest in the QLD top job is said to be formally rejected according to reports.
Having only expressed interest and not formally asking South Sydney, The Daily Telegraph report club officials will prohibit the legendary coach from returning to Origin duties after a long stint away from the annual series.
Whilst Kevin Walters has not been accepted into the Gold Coast job he is thought to be in a two-horse race with St Helen's coach Justin Holbrook, and if he (Walters) was to get the Titans gig, then it is believed he would part ways immediately with the Maroons.
It is unknown whether South Sydney would be more willing to allow Bennett to take up the Origin role if he stood down from England. Bennett last coached the Maroons in 2003 and even at the ripe old age of 70 is more than willing to go again.
In an interview last month, Bennett declared he would be able to handle dual roles at Souths and Queensland.
“I did it seven times during my coaching career so if I had to do (coach NRL and Queensland) again, and I wanted to do it again, and everyone was onside, it’s doable,” Bennett said.
“The challenge they’ve got with their rule is who’s available. If Kevin does get an opportunity somewhere else and can’t coach Origin again, in his first year of (NRL) coaching, (Queensland) wouldn’t be his priority.”
Bennett has also expressed his desire to be present in 2021 at the Rugby League World Cup however that would imply he had stayed on with England, which should result in this blockade becoming apparent.
We will wait and see what the future holds for the great coach but NRL circles will follow with great interest as Bennett has had a positive record with almost every team he's coached.