Meninga to join boyhood heroes in Qld sport’s hall of fame
MAL MENINGA grew up idolising Greg Norman and Rod Laver and next month will officially sit beside them as a Queensland sporting legend.
Rugby league great Meninga will be inducted as a Queensland legend at a Queensland Sport Hall of Fame dinner on November 28 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“I feel very privileged – I love Queensland,’’ Meninga said of the honour.
“It is a huge honour. Greg Norman was my favourite growing up. And Rod Laver because they stayed at the top for so long.
“One of the things I judge people on is longevity and how long they stay at the top. That is a true test of talent and mental toughness and the ability to handle the ups and downs of life and their profession.
“It is hard to get to the top and more difficult to stay there.’’
Getting to the top and staying there was also the essential story of Meninga’s career.
He played for Queensland for 15 years, making 46 Test appearances and being the only man to make four Kangaroo tours of England.
It all started when Meninga, up walking on chubby little legs at 11 months and a ball boy in primary school, used to jump into the family Holden with his father Norman and mother Leonie and trek the bumpy Burnett Highway between Monto and Thangool and other towns where his father played such as Bundaberg, Maryborough and Wondai.