At last, Mal’s in land of giants

FINALLY, third time lucky, Mal Meninga is a rugby league Immortal.

Meninga’s patient 15- year wait delivered the ultimate reward last night when the Queensland icon was bestowed rugby league’s most prestigious title at a gala dinner at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Twice overlooked in 2003 and 2012, Meninga fittingly charged into rugby league immortality on a night where the code celebrated the coronation of five more Immortals.

The Immortals are the most elite group of players in rugby league’s 110- year history. Before last night’s SCG dinner, there were just eight – Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, Graeme Langlands, Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson and Andrew Johns.

Now the contingent has swelled to 13, with Meninga crowned alongside St George great Norm Provan and three pre- World War II pioneers Dally Messenger, Frank Burge and Dave Brown.

The Immortals are judged solely on performances as a player. On that measure, there is no man more deserving of the honour than Meninga.

Having previously missed out to Beetson ( in 2003) and Johns ( in 2012), there was a fear the Immortals ship had sailed on Meninga, but the 58year- old would not be denied at the SCG last night.

Meninga was one of league legends short- listed for Immortal status in June. The five players who missed out were Brian Bevan, Duncan Hall, Ken Irvine, Ron Coote and former Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer.

Ian Heads, chair of the judging panel and a former editor of Rugby League Week, which launched the Immortals concept in 1981, last night paid tribute to Meninga and Provan.

“Mal captained his club, his state and his country, and was one of a kind,” Heads said.

“Norm’s role in St George’s wonderful dynasty was immense, and quite simply something which will never be repeated.”

A South- Sea Islander, Meninga’s playing record is remarkable. He made his debut for Brisbane Souths in 1979 and amassed 306 top- grade games, including stints at Canberra and St Helens in England.

Meninga made his State of Origin debut at age 20 and went on to play 32 matches for Queensland. He also won three premierships and amassed 46 Tests for Australia between 1982- 94. He is the only man to be chosen for four Kangaroo tours and the only man to captain Australia on two Kangaroo tours.

Provan, 85, presided over the most ruthless club era in league history.

He featured in 10 of St George’s record 11 premierships between 1956- 66, including four as captain- coach.