Mal happy to let Cam build huge Test tally

MAL Meninga admits not wanting to be the coach who ends Cameron Smith’s record streak of consecutive Tests for Australia and won’t rest his skipper during the Rugby League World Cup.

Smith will break Clive Churchill’s record of 35 straight appearances when he captains the Kangaroos in their group match against France in Canberra tonight.

The 34-year-old is now likely to finish the tournament on 40 consecutive Tests – a mark Meninga said would continue to grow to a point that would never be beaten.

“It’s obviously a testament to his ability first and foremost and his resilience as a rugby league player,” Meninga said.

“It’s a tough game and to keep on playing, turning up and playing the way he does. That level he does, is extraordinarily good.

“That’s why he’s a leader of our country.

“I don’t think he’ll ever be beaten to be honest with you.

‘‘It’s the holy grail of rugby league, playing consecutive Test matches.

“We’ve got six in this tournament, so that takes a fair while to play consecutive games and do what he’s achieved at the moment.”

■ THE average salary for an NRL first grader will increase to $313,000 next season after a pay deal was finally clinched yesterday.

The players have had a huge win at the end of a tense series of talks with the NRL, with 29.5 per cent of fixed revenue the game generates and a 52 per cent increase in pay from the previous collective bargaining agreement. By the last year of the five-year CBA the average salary of a top-30 player will be $330,000.