I didn't try to poach Blake Ferguson, says Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga

MAL Meninga has claimed credit for Blake Ferguson's turnaround and explained his attempted poaching of the Blues debutant was a joke.

MAROONS coach Mal Meninga has blasted suggestions he tried to "brainwash'' Blake Ferguson to play for Queensland, saying his mentoring role should not be confused with a poaching exercise.

As he prepares for his NSW debut in Origin I on Wednesday night, Ferguson, labelled the Blues' attacking equivalent to Greg Inglis, claims Meninga sounded him out "a long time ago'' on the prospect of representing the Maroons.

The Raiders icon admitted he has taken a keen interest in Ferguson's development since 2010, when he coached the Canberra strike weapon in a Prime Minister's XIII side that toured Papua New Guinea.

But Meninga denied making a furtive attempt to poach Ferguson, who hails from the western NSW town of Wellington, before taking aim at the Blues over New Zealand-born James Tamou's defection last year.

Months after Tamou's shock switch, Meninga was forced to defend himself against claims he tried to poach Kiwi duo Sam Kasiano and Josh Papalii, the latter of whom eventually chose Queensland.

"It was tongue in cheek,'' Meninga said of the Ferguson claims.

"I joked with Blake (saying), `You were born in Wellington, that's near Macksville (the NSW north coast town where Origin's greatest defector Greg Inglis was raised) isn't it?

"What about James Tamou? These NSW blokes ... fair dinkum.

"It was a joke. I know where Blake is born.''

While Meninga hosed down talk of Origin poaching, he happily admits to having a soft spot for Ferguson.

Blake Ferguson

Two months ago, when Ferguson almost had his Canberra contract torn up for missing a team recovery session as he imbibed on a rooftop with Josh Dugan, it was Meninga who provided support.

Typically, Meninga's advice was direct, a form of tough love, but it has helped deliver Ferguson's maiden NSW jumper.

"It (his mentoring) is quite minimal, I put s--- on Blake with what he has been up to,'' Meninga said.

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"I told him to pull his head in, really.

"The good thing with `Fergo' is he has a good heart. He's a good fellow, he is just easily led at times.

"He has that fun thing about him, he has a bit of immaturity, but he is coming out of that now.''

Viewed by some as a man with a misplaced air of arrogance, Ferguson, according to Meninga, is misunderstood.

"Impressionable is a good word for him,'' Meninga said.

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"I met Blake through the PM's XIII. I go to Canberra quite often these days, my wife is from there and I poke my head in every now and again to see the team.

"Deep down he is a good fella and that is a pretty good trait.

"If you persevere with someone like Blake, eventually the light comes on and they realise they have to do things a bit differently, they start to reach their potential and that's what Blake is doing now, which is great to see.''