A late replacement after Kevin Walters took the Brisbane NRL job, Bennett was up to his old tricks as he blooded 14 debutants and captured the series in a dramatic decider on Wednesday.

It was his first stint as Queensland coach since 2003 and the South Sydney mentor indicated he can fulfil both club and state duties before he leaves the Rabbitohs after next season.

Queensland great Darren Lockyer admitted this week that club commitments could hamper his ability to do both next year, with the series expected to return to the middle of the NRL season.

Bennett said he was too emotional to commit to the job so soon after their tight Suncorp Stadium win but left no doubt about how he felt about the role.

"It was 40 years tonight since we started Origin and the things that Arthur (Beetson) and all those wonderful players came out and displayed, we displayed," he said.

"That great Queensland spirit, doing it for your mate, I'm proud that on our watch we've been able to maintain the traditions ... the fans they'll never forget this game, this moment.

"I'm not big into legacies but you leave a standard for the ones coming after you and we've lived that standard."

Set to rejoin Bennett at Souths after beginning is career under him in Brisbane, Queensland forward Jai Arrow hoped Bennett is lining up a ninth Origin series win next year.

"The impact he's had here with such a young squad is pretty special," he said.

"I'd love to see him go on again; he says all the right things and he got us up tonight, I love playing under him.

"Before we got on the bus he said 'we're not losing this; i've been in three or four deciders and I've won them all."

Arrow said his simple approach had resonated with a young squad not wanting to over-complicate things.

"Right before the game Wayne said about 10 words and walked out," Arrow said.

"Something like 'I want you to have a go tonight, don't leave anything in the tank' and literally walked out.

"We paused for a second and thought 'is that it?'

"Then Chez (captain Daly Cherry-Evans) stood up and said 'let's go, this is what you dream about' ... I'm very glad we got the job done."

Australian Associated Press