Folau must earn Maroons spot: Meninga

Updated November 02, 2012 09:26:36

Maroons coach Mal Meninga says Israel Folau will have to earn his place in Queensland's record breaking State of Origin side if he does come back to rugby league next year.

Meninga, who has coached Queensland to victory in the last seven series against New South Wales, said 23-year-old Folau would not be a "walk up start" into his side.

"It's not a lay down misere that if he plays rugby league he is going to go straight into the Queensland side," Meninga told the Courier Mail after Folau announced on Thursday he was walking out on the final two years of his multi-million dollar AFL deal with Greater Western Sydney.

"He has a bit of work to do and I respect the players that have done a terrific job for Queensland for the last couple of years."

Queensland won this year's series with Darius Boyd and Brent Tate on the wings and Justin Hodges and Dane Nielsen in the centres, with Greg Inglis playing full-back.

Folau starred in Meninga's Queensland side in 2008-2010 before the AFL swooped with a massive offer after viewing him as a great publicity magnet for their expansion into Sydney's rugby league heartland, the city's outer west.

Meninga, who invited Folau to call him for a chat, said the former Brisbane and Melbourne star could return to rugby league a better player with the added skills he would have learned playing AFL.

Master coach Wayne Bennett is tipping a quick return to the top for Folau should he return to rugby league as expected, even though he would be out of reach of most clubs who have an extra $700,000 to work with in their upgraded 2013 salary cap.

"Rugby league is his sport," said the seven-time NRL premiership-winning coach, now with the Newcastle Knights.

"The good thing is he'll start the preseason along with everyone else with whichever club he chooses and be right to go in 2013.

"It won't take him long to get back to the top again."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, state-of-origin, australia, qld

First posted November 02, 2012 09:26:36

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Blues have wrong mentality: Meninga

Updated June 07, 2012 09:42:03

Still shaking his head over New South Wales' game one reaction, Queensland coach Mal Meninga has taken a shot at the Blues by claiming they do not have the right "mentality" to play Origin.

In the fallout from a host of New South Wales complaints over Origin I's officials, whistleblower Matt Cecchin and video referee Sean Hampstead were sacked for next week's second game in Sydney.

So incensed was coach Ricky Stuart after Queensland's 18-10 win, he threw a media ban on his team - which he was later forced to withdraw - and hired an independent analyst who reportedly revealed Queensland went unpunished in game one for 10 incidents that warranted penalties.

Stuart has not backed down ahead of game two, threatening to speak with league officials about the new-look referees before next week's Sydney showdown.

But Meninga said Queensland would never let the referees become an Origin issue no matter what happened on the field.

"If we get beaten we just put our hand up and say 'we should play better' - they (New South Wales) don't seem to have that sort of mentality," Meninga said during a team visit to Roma, in the state's south-west on Wednesday.

"We understand the referees have got a tough job to do - all we can do is play by their rulings.

"We just get on and do the job. That's who we are."

Meninga rated Origin I as one of the great series openers - and he should know as a 1980 original.

But the Maroons mentor was frustrated that game one had been overshadowed by controversy, namely Hampstead's awarding of a contentious second-half Greg Inglis try.

"I was fortunate to be involved (in Origin) from the start (and) that was one of the best first games I have seen in a long, long time - it doesn't get the recognition that it deserves," he said.

Asked about New South Wales's post-game complaints, Meninga joked "that's Ricky".

However he was deadly serious when he said he was already sick of the negative press from New South Wales ahead of game two.

"The first 24 hours (after game one) I read the papers (then stopped) - you get sick of it after a while," he said.

"We are not like that. That's not the way that we prepare.

"Obviously they (New South Wales) are trying to instil a bit of hatred into New South Wales supporters, trying to boost their team's morale by saying they were unlucky, but that's not the road we take.

"Now we've got to go to Sydney and prove them wrong."

Queensland was honoured with a street parade on Wednesday in Roma - hometown of Origin godfather Artie Beetson.

It was an emotional time for the team, especially after Beetson's death from a heart attack on the Gold Coast in December 2011.

Roma - which was also where retired legend Darren Lockyer grew up - saluted its other favourite sons, current Maroons flyer Brent Tate and ex-internationals Willie Carne and Wally Fullerton-Smith on the main street.

The only Maroons absent were Ash Harrison (groin) and Matt Scott (personal reasons).

Officials were still confident Harrison would play and hoped Scott would enter Origin camp on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, brisbane-4000, qld, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted June 06, 2012 20:23:58

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Meninga fearing Blues Origin revival

Updated May 21, 2012 21:30:17

He was the man behind the Queensland side that salvaged State of Origin in 2006, and now Maroons coach Mal Meninga fears New South Wales is ready to replicate the deed on the same Docklands surface.

While Queensland's six straight series wins have not left the concept in the same grave danger it seemingly faced six years ago, Meninga understands the motivation behind a Blues side which is simply sick of being beaten.

"Absolutely - we know they're going to be desperate and enthusiastic and we have to try and match that," Meninga said.

New South Wales was on the verge of a fourth straight series win heading into that 2006 series decider - before Maroons skipper Darren Lockyer changed the course of history when he pounced on a loose ball to score a late match-winner.

It was a moment which altered Queensland's mental approach to Origin.

"We had to instil that self-belief that I think we had lost a bit," Meninga recalled.

"We talk about passion, but I know they had the passion ... just that belief about going out there and being successful, hanging in there and all those traits we've talked about since day dot for us Queenslanders.

"Whether that's true or not, we believe in it and that's the most important thing.

"I wouldn't have guessed where we've got to today but it's nice being here."

What Ricky Stuart would give to be in the same situation - the New South Wales coach on Monday revealing the level of his feelings about the Blues' long losing streak.

"I hate it and I can't describe to you how much I hate it," he said.

Pressed to quantify his hatred, Stuart said:

"Are you allowed to print '****'? Well, I ****ing hate it."

Stuart's frank assessment shows the amount of passion he has for ending Queensland's dominance, and there is a sense that is now flowing through to his players.

The last man to coach New South Wales to a series win, Stuart worked hard to instil a new culture within the camp when he took on the job for last year's series.

And he believes the Blues are better placed for success than they were at the same time last year.

And key to that is imbuing his side with belief, the same belief Meninga claimed his side lacked before they set about re-writing Origin's history books.

"I said last year, and a lot of people didn't believe me, that I had to assess the situation in regards to where we were at," Stuart said.

"After game one, I thought we could win the series - I don't think many other people believed that.

"After game two, there wasn't many people that thought we couldn't win it.

"So of course I go into this game confident, but I can only do that by what the players are performing and how they're preparing on the field.

"You go into a game of football wanting to win, and that's exactly where we're going."

AAP

Tags: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, brisbane-4000, qld, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted May 21, 2012 21:30:17

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Meninga misses apology deadline

Updated July 14, 2011 18:18:30

Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga could be headed for court over his explosive newspaper column savaging New South Wales officials and the NRL judiciary.

Meninga had until 5:00pm (AEST) to notify NRL match review chairman Greg McCallum whether he intended delivering an unreserved apology and front page retraction for his stinging comments in last weekend's Sunday Mail newspaper or face possible legal action.

While Meninga did not return calls it is understood he let the deadline slip by without contacting McCallum.

McCallum also failed to return calls on Thursday.

Insiders say Meninga had obtained advice from his own legal team and also had the 100 per cent backing of News Limited.

While reports on Thursday said Meninga had spoken to New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart since his column rocked rugby league, the threat of court action remained after his failure to contact McCallum.

League insiders however were hoping a resolution could be brokered without going to court which they said would be a bad look for the game.

Meninga's camp is disappointed the first contact made with him after his column was a threatening legal letter rather than an offer to get together and work through the issues he had raised.

Meninga, who has not commented since the storm erupted, sent Stuart a text message on Wednesday afternoon which said: "Give me a call - we need to chat".

Stuart called and they agreed to have a talk over a beer in Sydney next week.

However that has not removed the pending threat of legal action although insiders say both match review members Peter Louis and Meninga's former Canberra team-mate Bradley Clyde are not totally in favour of such action.

Queensland captain Darren Lockyer said it was good to know Meninga and Stuart were talking after his coach's comments had whipped up such a maelstrom.

"I don't know what Sticky (Stuart) and Mal's relationship is like," Lockyer, who has played under both, said.

"I think it's perceived because they were team-mates (Canberra and Australia) they were best of friends, but sometimes that's not always the case.

"But it's good after the stir the article caused that the two head coaches of the states are getting together.

"Because Origin is state against state and mate against mate, which it is, there's a lot of passion involved and as much as you respect your opponent, you want to beat them as much as you can too.

"Sometimes that's where emotions can boil over a bit."

Lockyer said Meninga had wanted to get some things off his chest.

"He said what he wanted to say but he's not the sort of person to have a slanging match," he said.

"I think he's happy to leave it where it is.

"Everything is magnified at this level.

"Mal's a good bloke and Ricky's a good bloke, I've worked with him for a number of years and I'm sure their won't be any love lost there."

AAP

Tags: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, sydney-2000, nsw

First posted July 14, 2011 18:18:30

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Interview: Mal Meninga

Published:Wednesday, July 6, 2011 10:17 AESTExpires:Tuesday, October 4, 2011 10:17 AEST

Queensland coach Mal Meninga told Grandstand's Brad Tallon that his side was magnificent in wrapping up a sixth straight State of Origin victory at Lang Park on Wednesday night.

Tags: sport, rugby-league, state-of-origin, australia

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Media Call: Mal Meninga

Published:Tuesday, June 7, 2011 3:00 AESTExpires:Monday, September 5, 2011 3:00 AEST

Queensland coach Mal Meninga says he has full faith in Greg Inglis' fitness ahead of next week's State of Origin II in Sydney.

Tags: sport, rugby-league, state-of-origin, australia

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Meninga cries foul over Uate decision

Updated June 7, 2011 22:19:00

State of Origin just would not be the same without a good conspiracy theory.

And Queensland coach Mal Meninga did his best to maintain tradition by hinting NSW winger Akuila Uate only escaped suspension for an NRL spear tackle so he could play in next week's Origin II.

The Maroons mentor suggested NSW players in hot water around Origin time had been shown leniency for "a long time", citing Jarryd Hayne's infamous 2010 headbutt.

And Meninga believed a precedent had been set ahead of Origin II after Uate walked away unpunished for the dangerous throw, setting up the potential for game two fireworks.

Knights winger Uate was breathing a sigh of relief on Tuesday when he escaped punishment by entering an early plea for his grade one charge following Newcastle's loss to Wests Tigers on Monday night.

But Meninga hinted Uate should have been rubbed out for at least Origin II for the 72nd-minute lifting tackle on Tigers debutant Tim Simona.

"I thought it warranted a grade two but I don't make those decisions," he said after unveiling his side on Tuesday.

"He is very important to them so he is playing.

"It's not the first time - Jarryd from a year ago."

Hayne needed just eight minutes in the NRL judiciary to beat a headbutt charge on a technicality ahead of 2010's Origin II, despite admitting he made contact with Melbourne and Queensland's Billy Slater.

"It's been happening for a long time, as long as I can remember - and I played game one," Meninga said.

Of course Meninga is conveniently forgetting Luke Lewis was rubbed out of NSW's Origin side by the judiciary on the same night Hayne was cleared - and the countless other cases passionate Blues fans could come up with over the years.

But Meninga was in no mood to back down on Tuesday, especially when asked if a precedent had been set by Uate's tackle ahead of Origin II.

"Well, they have set one," he said.

"We will see what happens from here on.

"But we will work with the cards we are dealt with and get on with business."

Uate was too excited to take Meninga's comments to heart.

"I would have been pretty upset if I had (been suspended)," Uate said.

"Even though I haven't done it before, I was worried about what I was going to get ... you always worry when you are put on report.

"But I knew nothing much happened in that tackle.

"I was a little bit worried this morning but ... I came to training and I heard the news and I was pretty excited."

For good measure, Meninga also tried to play some old fashioned mind games when asked about NSW coach Ricky Stuart's stunning change of tack.

A long term view and a vow to show loyalty and not pick players out of position were thrown out the window for game two.

"In any Origin game I think you need people playing their position - that is my belief," Meninga said.

"(But) you would have to ask Ricky about that.

"We have a lot of belief in our footy side.

"We are very secure in the knowledge that we have picked a side that has done it before."

Asked if he would ever go into an Origin clash with just two specialist props like NSW have done for game two, Meninga said: "We haven't had to make that decision.

"We have the best front rowers in the game playing for us.

"We are in an envious position."

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, state-of-origin, australia, nsw, qld

First posted June 7, 2011 19:19:00

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Meninga downplays Blues' underdog status

Updated May 25, 2011 10:48:00

A sell-out crowd of more than 52,000 will be on hand when this year's State of Origin series gets underway at Brisbane's Lang Park tonight.

New South Wales can expect the traditionally hostile welcome from the partisan crowd, which will be primed to welcome Queensland hero Darren Lockyer, as he equals Allan Langer's record of 34 Origin games in his 13th and final series.

The Maroons are heavily favoured to build on their five straight series wins but coach Mal Meninga says the Blues are not quite the underdogs they are claiming to be.

"They're going to say that but they'll be well prepared, we know that," he said.

"It's going to be a really competitive, aggressive and unrelenting type of game.

"It's going to be a battle of wills really.

"I think we've prepared that way that if we do get into the battle we'll keep on persevering."

Queensland heads into tonight's match with chinks in its armour but still boasts far more experience than its opponents.

The Maroons have lost injured Test centres Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges but still have 19.3 games of Origin experience per player compared to the Blues' 1.5.

Their spine of Billy Slater, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith is among the greatest ever assembled.

Replacement centres Willie Tonga and Dane Nielsen will be under the most pressure to perform for the Maroons.

NSW are desperately hoping the new era of full-time coach Ricky Stuart can end five years of pain, starting with a 1-0 series lead after Origin I.

Stuart has left no stone unturned in planning the campaign and will have the team he wanted at his disposal after an overhaul of the Blues' selection procedure.

NSW skipper Paul Gallen backed the rebuilt Blues set-up to have his side ready.

"We probably couldn't have been any better prepared," he said.

"It's no secret Ricky's a passionate bloke and it's rubbed off on us and he's going to have us well and truly motivated."

The Blues go in with five debutants, while Willie Tonga and Dane Nielson replace injured Test centres Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges for the Maroons.

Origin beamed to US

Meanwhile, Russell Crowe has helped broker a television deal to beam the Origin series live to 40 million viewers in the United States.

American sports giant Fox Sports will televise all three clashes, as well as the NRL grand final.

The announcement follows a broadcast deal struck with the assistance of Hollywood actor Crowe, the co-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, between the NRL and head of Fox Sports David Hill.

The deal sees the United States join the UK, Pacific Islands, Canada, north Africa and the Middle East, central and southern Africa and parts of Asia in broadcasting the Origin Series live.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, state-of-origin, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted May 25, 2011 07:13:00

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Media Call: Mal Meninga

Published:Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:41 AESTExpires:Monday, August 22, 2011 8:41 AEST

Queensland coach Mal Meninga says the Maroons will target the New South Wales kickers in Wednesday's State of Origin I at Lang Park.

Tags: sport, rugby-league, state-of-origin, australia

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