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Matty Johns calls out 'hypocrite' Wayne Bennett

NRL great Matthew Johns has hit out at Wayne Bennett over his stand-off with the Queensland State of Origin team.

The Broncos coach came under fire last week when he publicly stated his intention to refuse Anthony Milford joining the Maroons' camp if he wasn't selected in the starting 17.

The threat led to Milford being named at No.6 and Johnathan Thurston 18th man, with JT since ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Johns and Bennett. Image: Getty
Johns and Bennett. Image: Getty

Johns has now called out Bennett for a completely contradictory stance he took earlier in the year.

Bennett called for English players based in Australia to leave their NRL clubs and join him for a pre-season English camp.

"It's pretty rich when he's coaching an English side and he's asking them to let their players go. To go into camp and things like that," Johns said on Friday.

"Is he the first coach that's had to sacrifice and be disadvantaged by State of Origin?"

Gordon Tallis, who has publicly criticised Bennett a number of times in recent years, also slammed his former coach over the Milford saga.

"Kevvy (Walters) is in the job and it's like he's trying to upset the apple cart and it's not cool," Tallis said.

"I think whoever is coach, let them coach. They pick the side they want. You can't dictate to them, it’s the Queensland side.

"Everybody wants to play in that side.

"If he called me in as 18th man I would go in and yet Wayne is saying you can't take him unless you do this and this and this. I think that's unfair."