BRISBANE coach Wayne Bennett gave Scott Prince a massive Origin push yesterday, saying Queensland selectors would be silly to pick Karmichael Hunt ahead of him as Darren Lockyer's five-eighth replacement.

Lockyer’s involvement in this year’s Origin series is questionable following further knee surgery yesterday which is expected to sideline him for up to six weeks, ruling him out of the first two games.

Bennett was stunned by suggestions Hunt could wear Lockyer’s No. 6 jumper ahead of Prince.

"You guys are having a go at me … it’s a gee up, isn’t it?," Bennett said before stating Prince’s Origin case two days before selectors name their 17-man squad.

"I don’t think Queens-
land would be that silly,
personally. What are you going to do with Scott Prince …. What, he can’t play?"

Speculation Australian fullback Billy Slater would wear the No. 1 jumper so Hunt could cover for Lockyer gained momentum over the weekend.

Bennett bristled at claims selectors were toying with the idea because of concerns that Johnathan Thurston and Prince were so similar they could get in each other’s way. "Scott Prince is one of the best team players I’ve ever coached," Bennett said after Brisbane went down 30-12 to Manly yesterday.

"I had him here (at the Broncos) for three years and we didn’t see enough of
him (because of injuries). I took him away in the Australian side (for the 2005 Tri Nations).

"He’d do any role he had to do to be in the team.

"You see him play for the Titans every week, he’s their best team player. I don’t think he’s going to have a problem with Thurston being dominant.

"If Thurston’s calling the shots, I’m sure he’ll be happy to sit back but if Johnathan can’t call them, he’ll put his hand up and say ‘I’ve got this call’."

Hunt sided with his coach saying Thurston and Prince should be Queensland’s halves.

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