Bennett rips into 'very poor' Hayne after Origin shocker
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett has singled out Jarryd Hayne during a scathing analysis of the Blues' Origin II loss to Queensland.
The super coach isn't normally one to stick the boot in to individual players, but he made an exception when it came to Hayne during a radio segment on Triple M Brisbane.
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Asked for his thoughts on the Maroons' thrilling 18-16 come-from-behind win in game two at ANZ Stadium, the Broncos mentor didn't hold back.
"For Jarryd Hayne, there's no excuses for why he didn't pass the ball to Morris," Bennett said.
"It's about taking your chances and Queensland, all through the second half, they just kept playing it out, playing it out. That’s what makes them so good."
Bennett was referring to a try that Hayne botched in the first half when the Blues were already 16-6 up.
The NSW centre had a two-on-one situation with only Maroons winger Dane Gagai in front of him and an unmarked Brett Morris on his outside.
Instead of throwing the pass that would have seen Morris put the Blues 22-6 up, Hayne decided to hang onto the ball in a decision critics have branded "selfish."
When asked if he would have given the Blues star a spray if he was playing for him, Bennett was forthright.
"Last night, I would have said it to them as they were leaving the field," he said.
"He’s too good a player for him to do what he did. If he’s a young guy just learning his trade and all that then that can happen.
"But that guy is a champion player and he made a very poor decision."
The Maroons' win means the series heads back to Suncorp Stadium for the decider on July 12 in what will also be Johnathan Thurston's farewell.
The party could also extend to veterans Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, both of whom are without NRL contracts beyond November.
Bennett said he was excited at what could unfold in game three.
"I got up this morning, excited thinking about game three, because they've both been tremendous games. NSW, overall last night, they looked the better team," he said.
"But the bottom line is they weren't because Queensland just wouldn't go away and Queensland won't go away in game three.
"Queensland just don't give them the opportunities they give us and that makes the difference on a night like last night and there wasn't a lot of difference between both teams."