BY STAFF WRITERS

Former Kangaroos international Reni Maitua has called Brisbane’s iconic coach Wayne Bennett the “odour of rugby league” in an interview on Fox Sports overnight.

But Maitua wasn’t actually having a go at the seven-time premiership-winner.

Maitua believes Bennett and South Sydney’s Anthony Seibold should swap clubs now instead of in 2020 but it would come down to cash.

“It will probably come down to money in the end,” Maitua told Fox Sports’ Bill & Boz.

“I know Wayne likes his contracts and his money – as we all do.”

“He’s the odour of rugby league and I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way. Everybody wants Wayne Bennett at their club.”

But Bennett himself says there has been no dialogue between himself or Broncos officials about an early move.

“I have had no conversation with Brisbane since the presentation night,” Bennett told Fairfax.

“I spoke to the chairman and the CEO that night at the function and I haven’t seen or talked to anybody since that day. Nothing has changed from my point of view.” He added: “I can’t enlighten anybody at all.

“I’ve had no conversation with anyone about anything other than the fact I’m here (Brisbane) next year.”

But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.