State of Origin 2020: NRL leaves door open for Mal Meninga to coach Queensland Maroons
The NRL has not closed the door on Mal Meninga stepping in to coach Queensland in this year’s State of Origin series as it emerged the Broncos are set for an embarrassing snub at the selection table.
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ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says the NRL will consider giving Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga special dispensation to rescue Queensland as the Broncos face an incredible Maroons snubbing.
The Maroons delayed naming their initial train-on squad on Tuesday as uncertainty surrounds who will coach Queensland in November’s 40th anniversary series.
Incumbent Queensland coach Kevin Walters has officially clinched the Brisbane coaching job and Broncos bosses will ask him to stand down from the Maroons to focus solely on his club duties.
Given he has spent the past 12 months planning, Walters could remain involved with the Maroons in the lead-up to the series but will not be the head coach when it kicks off in Adelaide on November 4.
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That has prompted the Queensland Rugby League to urgently consider contingency plans, with Meninga, Wayne Bennett and Paul Green being touted as possible replacements.
Meninga is employed by the NRL to oversee the national team, but with no Test matches to be played this year, the COVID saga could open the door for the Immortal to reunite with the Maroons.
“We would certainly look at the prospect of Mal helping out Queensland,” V’landys said. “If the QRL approach us officially, we will look at it.
“In a normal situation it wouldn’t happen, because you can’t be an Australian coach as well as a Queensland or NSW coach. But in this year, given the COVID situation, everything is on the table and there are exceptional circumstances to consider.
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“There are no international games this year so Mal won’t be choosing an Australian team anyway. Mal went from the Queensland Origin team to the Australian team (in 2016) and he has done a very fair job as Kangaroos coach.
“What’s the difference if he went back in a season like this?
“At this stage, we have had no approach from the Queensland Rugby League, but the door is open to a degree because there are no international games.”
The QRL was planning to unveil the first 10 members of its 27-man squad on Tuesday from clubs that did not make the NRL finals, but delayed the announcement as doubt hovers over Walters’ involvement.
If Walters will not be coaching Queensland then the new coach will be expected to have input on the squad.
What has become clear is the Broncos are facing their lowest Origin representation in the concept’s history after collecting this year’s wooden spoon and were only going to have one player selected before the announcement was delayed.
Despite undergoing ankle surgery, injured back-rower David Fifita, who has signed with the Gold Coast Titans for 2021, was set to be the only player selected, with incumbents Corey Oates and Joe Ofahengaue facing the axe.
Rising forward Pat Carrigan is under consideration but is no guarantee to be selected in a squad which will feature at least four Titans players.
The Titans will be represented by in-form fullback AJ Brimson, prop Moeaki Fotuaika, winger Phil Sami and forward Jai Arrow.
Dummy-half dynamo Harry Grant has bolted into favouritism to clinch the No.9 jersey, but Tigers teammate Moses Mbye could be a controversial omission.
Cowboys players Valentine Holmes and Josh McGuire will be selected, however the former has been ruled out of Game One due to suspension.
The Maroons will be captained by Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans and a squad announcement is expected to be made in the coming days so the players not contesting finals can continue to train.
The arrival of a new coach could deliver some players a selection reprieve after they originally faced the axe under Walters.