Maroons target big Meninga

THE Queensland Rugby League has not given up hope of having Mal Meninga involved in a Maroons revival as it prepares to put its faith and future in the hands of an advisory panel involving the state’s sharpest minds.

The QRL wanted Meninga to become a mentor to new coach Billy Slater but was warned off the Kangaroos coach by ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys, who was concerned about a conflict of interest. However, the QRL has reportedly changed tack and is keen to have Meninga involved as part of an advisory group that may also involve seventime premiership winner Wayne Bennett and Maroons legend Gene Miles.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher confirmed the Maroons still hoped to use Meninga in a role that would allow him to be accessed by Slater, but also to oversee a regeneration of rugby league in the state in conjunction with the likes of Bennett and Miles.

The QRL had approached him about working alongside Slater in camp throughout next year’s Origin series but those hopes were dashed when V’landys and the ARL Commission ruled it would conflict with his role with the Kangaroos.