Darren Lockyer was not consulted on Queensland's State of Origin SOS to Wayne Bennett and is yet to speak his former mentor.
But despite their high profile falling out, Queensland selector Lockyer said he was welcoming the prospect of working with Bennett again after the 70-year-old supercoach was confirmed at the Maroons helm on Friday.
Lockyer has admitted Bennett's bitter departure from the Broncos in 2018 "put a strain on our relationship" but told Wide World of Sports there was no doubt that Queensland had made the right call by appointing the Rabbitohs mentor as Kevin Walters' replacement.
"We're both there to do a job and that's giving Queensland their best chance of being successful," Lockyer said.
"But on a personal level it'll be good to be working together for a common cause.
"I'm looking forward to that."
Lockyer said Bennett's appointment was made solely by the QRL board and, despite their messy history, had not been consulted about the move.
"They just informed us (selectors) before they announced it really," Lockyer said.
"I wasn't sure what the situation with Mal (Meninga) was as the Australian coach so I just assumed with this being a smaller campaign, we're going to keep the group together for three weeks, Wayne's very good.
"It's one of his great strengths, bringing a group together for a common cause and playing for each other."
Despite a lack of communication between he and Bennett, Lockyer didn't anticipate any difficulties arising around the selection table.
The series kicks off on November 4 in Adelaide and injury-hit Queensland will start as serious underdogs against a talent-laden NSW squad shooting for three in a row under Brad Fittler.
But Maroons fans will be banking on if anyone can, Wayne can.
The legendary Bennett has coached Queensland to five Origin victories across seven series, and last led the Maroons in 2003.
Despite their recent differences, Lockyer retained massive respect for the game's most durable and decorated figure.
It's also box office gold in a COVID-19 year from hell.
"As a 70-year-old, still wanting to take on a challenge like this, you've got to admire that decision," Lockyer said.
"I think it's good for the game to have someone like Wayne, what he's done in the game, to be involved in Origin.
"There is a lot of work but he's put his hand up and he wants to see Queensland be successful and he'll do what he does best.
"And that's get a group of men ready for the challenge."
As QRL's own media release outlined, Bennett's comeback has parallels to the 2001 Maroons fairytale when he and an ageing Alfie Langer masterminded a memorable series win.
And Lockyer had no doubt that Bennett's croaky instructions would still resonate with the modern crop of Queensland players.
"When you have a voice that will stand up in front of the group, that's won more premierships than any other coach in the game, won Origin series, done it all, the players will definitely respect and listen to what he has to say," Lockyer said.
"I think they will buy into what he's saying and they'll need the self belief to be successful this year.
"NSW will be in a good position.
"A lot of Queensland players, because Queensland teams aren't playing finals, some have already pulled out because of injury.
"So yeah, there's a challenge there but it's something that Wayne is not foreign too – a challenge."
Given Bennett's involvement in the NRL finals, Queensland's selectors won't meet until next week to continue honing their options.
Walters will provide a handover to Bennett with his 2020 homework with Lockyer and company to act as a "sounding board."
"Wayne has got the Souths game to focus on this week and we'll probably touch base with him early next week about where we were at with Kevvie and his squad," Lockyer said.
"No matter who pulls on the jersey, you're always going to have a level of confidence because while we don't have the same depth, we always come up with a really good 17.
"So we've still got four games of footy to go and there's bound to be some twists and turns with players before the start of the series.
"It's a cliché but you've just got to take each week as they come and just keep in touch with those guys that aren't playing footy and make sure they're doing the best they can to get themselves in the best shape possible when the series comes around."
Darren Lockyer was not consulted on Queensland's State of Origin SOS to Wayne Bennett and is yet to speak his former mentor.
But despite their high profile falling out, Queensland selector Lockyer said he was welcoming the prospect of working with Bennett again after the 70-year-old supercoach was confirmed at the Maroons helm on Friday.
Lockyer has admitted Bennett's bitter departure from the Broncos in 2018 "put a strain on our relationship" but told Wide World of Sports there was no doubt that Queensland had made the right call by appointing the Rabbitohs mentor as Kevin Walters' replacement.
"We're both there to do a job and that's giving Queensland their best chance of being successful," Lockyer said.
"But on a personal level it'll be good to be working together for a common cause.
"I'm looking forward to that."
Lockyer said Bennett's appointment was made solely by the QRL board and, despite their messy history, had not been consulted about the move.
"They just informed us (selectors) before they announced it really," Lockyer said.
"I wasn't sure what the situation with Mal (Meninga) was as the Australian coach so I just assumed with this being a smaller campaign, we're going to keep the group together for three weeks, Wayne's very good.
"It's one of his great strengths, bringing a group together for a common cause and playing for each other."
Despite a lack of communication between he and Bennett, Lockyer didn't anticipate any difficulties arising around the selection table.
The series kicks off on November 4 in Adelaide and injury-hit Queensland will start as serious underdogs against a talent-laden NSW squad shooting for three in a row under Brad Fittler.
But Maroons fans will be banking on if anyone can, Wayne can.
The legendary Bennett has coached Queensland to five Origin victories across seven series, and last led the Maroons in 2003.
Despite their recent differences, Lockyer retained massive respect for the game's most durable and decorated figure.
It's also box office gold in a COVID-19 year from hell.
"As a 70-year-old, still wanting to take on a challenge like this, you've got to admire that decision," Lockyer said.
"I think it's good for the game to have someone like Wayne, what he's done in the game, to be involved in Origin.
"There is a lot of work but he's put his hand up and he wants to see Queensland be successful and he'll do what he does best.
"And that's get a group of men ready for the challenge."
As QRL's own media release outlined, Bennett's comeback has parallels to the 2001 Maroons fairytale when he and an ageing Alfie Langer masterminded a memorable series win.
And Lockyer had no doubt that Bennett's croaky instructions would still resonate with the modern crop of Queensland players.
"When you have a voice that will stand up in front of the group, that's won more premierships than any other coach in the game, won Origin series, done it all, the players will definitely respect and listen to what he has to say," Lockyer said.
"I think they will buy into what he's saying and they'll need the self belief to be successful this year.
"NSW will be in a good position.
"A lot of Queensland players, because Queensland teams aren't playing finals, some have already pulled out because of injury.
"So yeah, there's a challenge there but it's something that Wayne is not foreign too – a challenge."
Given Bennett's involvement in the NRL finals, Queensland's selectors won't meet until next week to continue honing their options.
Walters will provide a handover to Bennett with his 2020 homework with Lockyer and company to act as a "sounding board."
"Wayne has got the Souths game to focus on this week and we'll probably touch base with him early next week about where we were at with Kevvie and his squad," Lockyer said.
"No matter who pulls on the jersey, you're always going to have a level of confidence because while we don't have the same depth, we always come up with a really good 17.
"So we've still got four games of footy to go and there's bound to be some twists and turns with players before the start of the series.
"It's a cliché but you've just got to take each week as they come and just keep in touch with those guys that aren't playing footy and make sure they're doing the best they can to get themselves in the best shape possible when the series comes around."
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