New South Wales State of Origin coach dismissing selection tips offered by previous Queensland mentor Wayne Bennett

Bennett claimed incumbent Blues halves James Maloney and Nathan Cleary must be sacked after watching his own red-hot playmakers Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds pilot the Rabbitohs to the top of the NRL.

Bennett stopped short of saying Walker and Reynolds should replace the out-of-form Blues pairing, but advised Fittler against retaining Maloney and Cleary, who have struggled for bottom-placed Penrith this season.

Fittler says Reynolds and Walker have been absolutely outstanding this season, but he believes Bennett was clearly pushing for his own players.

RUGBY LEAGUE COVERAGE POWERED BY MACHINERY HOUSE - IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN