Jun 12th, 2017

Queensland coach Kevin Walters needs to win the State of Origin series if he wants to keep his job. (AAP)

Jun 12th, 2017

Bennett could replace Walters

QUEENSLAND are just 80 minutes away from going back to the most revered coach in Maroons history - Wayne Bennett.

I’m hearing that if the Maroons lose game two of the Origin series in Sydney, they will dump Kevvie Walters and replace him with Bennett for the 2018 series.

Bennett has coached the Maroons in seven series in the 1980s, ‘90s and 2000s - the last time in 2003.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters (l) faces added pressure to win the Origin series or face being replaced by Wayne Bennett. (AAP)

But he is the most respected coaching figure north of the border and the Maroons are reeling in the wake of the 28-4 home loss in game one last week.

Walters only got the Queensland job last season when Cowboys mentor Paul Green knocked back the position, but did a good job to guide Queensland to a 2-1 series win.

But Queensland officials feel that Walters’ lack of experience as a head coach in the NRL is counting against him and Bennett has the ability to get the best out of the Maroons - something he has proven time and again.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher is extremely close mates with Bennett - as well as his accountant.

Bennett is set to coach England in the World Cup in October but will quit that job at the end of the year and the Broncos are certain to give him their blessing to take the reins yet again.

Peats faces price drop

Blues hooker Nathan Peats is in demand from both his current club the Titans and his former club the Eels - but his future is in limbo.

Gold Coast hooker Nathan Peats might have to drop his asking price to land a contract for next season. (AAP)

Peats’ asking price of around $600,000 is too high for both clubs and at this stage, neither is budging.

There are no other clubs in the race so Peats may have to lower his price tag to land himself a deal for 2018.

Ironman chalks up 500 games

Not many Aussies would know of Andy Lynch, a veteran journeyman running around in Super League for Castleford.

But on Sunday, Lynch - who has a strong Aussie connection - was the toast of the rugby league world.

The 38-year-old trotted out for his 500th first grade game - a remarkable achievement made even more so by the fact he plays in the toughest spot on the field - the front row.

To put his feat into perspective, in over a century of Aussie football, the most games any player has managed is a ‘mere’ 355 - set by Broncos great Darren Lockyer.

Castleford's Andy Lynch was the toast of the rugby league world after recently celebrating 500 first grade games. (Getty)

And Lynch’s Aussie connection? His wife April is a Sydney girl, born and bred and her in-laws Sue and Steve Bush are among his biggest fans, following his career from afar at Coogee in Sydney’s east.

WHO AM I?

Which player tested positive to cocaine in an in-house drug test recently, only for the incident to be swept under the rug. But the club is taking action of its own - the player won’t be back in first grade this season and will quietly be cut loose at season’s end.

Which high-profile player was caught cheating by his wife recently? She has moved out of home - with the kids - and he is begging her to come back… with little success.