Rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga tells Mark Coyne’s critics to back off

Rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga has gone into bat for Mark Coyne, citing the former St George legends three decades of impeccable conduct.

Mark Coyne & Mal Meninga. NRL Chief Executive Dave Smith joins past and present Queensland and NSW State of Origin players at Suncorp Stadium to promote the 100th game of Origin. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

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Immortal Mal Meninga has made an impassioned plea warning off those who are trying to run Mark Coyne out of the game.

Coyne has come under fire for his drunken rant which led to his arrest in Singapore last month. His position as an ARL commissioner is in doubt with Coyne to meet chairman Peter Beattie and his fellow commissioners next week after Beattie returns from holidays.

Kangaroos coach Meninga, a former teammate of Coyne’s, has defended his three decade of good behaviour.

“He is the last person that would do any harm to his reputation, to his family or the game,” Meninga said. “It’s totally out of character. I’d go to battle with Coyney any day of the week.

“It would be a sad day if we lose him. He is a genuine fella. He genuinely loves the game and will do everything he possibly can to look after it.

Mneinga captained Coyne at Origin level. Picture by Liam Kidston.

“He has made a mistake.

“To try and bring a person of his integrity down is very poor taste for people who want to do that.

“People shouldn’t be casting stones and people who do should have a good hard look at themselves.”

Coyne has temporarily stood down as a commissioner but is not expected to quit unless his fellow commissioner’s deem his position as untenable.

He understands he should have reported the incident earlier but feared any leaking of the potential charge would have damaged his case in Singapore. Coyne could be sanctioned rather than dumped as a commissioner which could lead to him being suspended for a period of time.

Could Coyne lose his place on the commission? Picture by Damian Shaw.

He returned to Australia last week after six weeks in Singapore.

Meninga said the game needed people like Coyne to stay involved.

“His integrity is so important,” Meninga said. “The integrity of the game is too and he understands that.

“Because of the person he is he will make the right decision, he feels that is important to the game.

“He will protect the game before he protects himself.

“He was such a role model when he played, captain of his club and achieved the greatest honours.

The former Dragons skipper was arrested in Singapore. Picture by Toby Zerna.

“I would love him to stay in the game. At the end of the day the game has to protect its integrity too.

“If he feels like he has let the game down by swearing he will stand down. He will put the game first.

“He is an unbelievable person. He is a great man. A great mate. He wouldn’t hurt a fly and is a great family man and highly successful in business.

“He is the type of person we want in the game. Mark has earnt his right for great respect within our game.”

Originally published as Rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga tells Mark Coyne’s critics to back off