South Sydney Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly has no problem with Wayne Bennett stepping in and helping Darius Boyd during his first series as coach for the QLD Maroons in 2027.
The QRL announced Boyd as the main man to lead the Sunshine State back to State of Origin glory, and he may receive help from one of the best to ever do it.
Boyd and Bennett's relationship started in 2006 at the Brisbane Broncos, and the tight-knit duo spent time together at the Dragons, Knights, then back in Red Hill, forming a strong partnership which is set to bleed into state coaching honours.
It spanned across 13 seasons together, with two premierships at the Broncos and Dragons out of Boyd's total 15 years in the NRL.
Bennett has won five series as the coach for the Maroons, headlined by stepping in to coach a famous series upset in 2020 with an injury-depleted outfit.
Solly says if Boyd requires some help from Bennett to get things started, he has the full blessing from the club to do so.
“I think anyone who knows Wayne knows he'll do anything for Queensland,” he said on SEN's Kick Off.
“He said last week that he didn't think he was the right man to be the coach, but he would happily assist anyone who was.
“I'm sure that given that relationship between Darius and Wayne, there'll be lots of conversations and lots of opportunities to help.
“I think Wayne was a backer of Billy as well. I know they spoke regularly about the team and the preparation.
“So, Wayne, being the Queenslander he is, will always want to help out and make sure that they beat New South Wales next season.
“So, he'll certainly be involved somewhere.”
Boyd has coached the Maroons Under 19s side for two years and will receive a significant promotion after Billy Slater's shock decision to step down in August.
Both states will have fresh faces in the coaching box for 2027, and will be in unique circumstances when they take part in a historic fixture outside of Australia for the first time professionally, playing Game 2 in Auckland's Eden Park.
Accompanied by Slater's departure is Laurie Daley, who also stepped down as coach after engineering a famous series win this year, snatching the trophy off Queensland in a decider in Brisbane.
