If Mal Meninga’s words mean anything then he must sack Greg Inglis from Kangaroos captaincy
THE NRL has no choice but to sack newly appointed captain Greg Inglis for the upcoming Test matches against New Zealand and Tonga.
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THE NRL has no choice but to sack newly appointed captain Greg Inglis for the upcoming Test matches against New Zealand and Tonga.
The mid-range drink-driving and speeding charges leave coach Mal Meninga and the game’s administration with an easy decision to make.
Easy because you go back two years to when Meninga started out as Australian coach and read these quotes.
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“To put on the green and gold jersey, it’s not only about your playing ability, it’s about what you do off the field too,” he said,
“I generally think the expectation of a Kangaroo is they’re one of the best role models in our game. You have to be careful what you do off the field as well as play really well every time you play in that jersey.
“Your balance in life is really important, and you have to get that right if you want to play in the green and gold jersey.”
At the time Meninga’s ‘no dickhead’ edict was widely reported and applauded.
ARRESTED: How the Greg Inglis news broke
KNOCKED OUT: Greg Inglis spent the past four days in Dubbo
The Kangaroos coach sacked Canberra Raiders forward Josh Papalii last year over a drink-driving charge. The game has to be consistent in dealing with off-field issues.
It’s a tough call but the only decision they can make.
He has to go as skipper and as a player.
Sadly it is the game’s worst kept secret that Inglis is still battling mental health issues.
That is not an excuse but a contributing reason for his alleged behaviour.
The game and the South Sydney Rabbitohs have a duty of care to the champion centre. He needs help.
But he needs to be treated the same as every other player.
The fans at the 16 NRL clubs want and are entitled to consistency.
DALEY CALLS FOR INGLIS TO LOSE CAPTAINCY
Australian Test selector Laurie Daley believes Greg Inglis needs to relinquish the Kangaroos captaincy after being nabbed drink driving and speeding just hours after being bestowed the honour.
Former Test skipper Daley said the South Sydney star had let the game down, claiming his position as leader of the national side was now untenable. “It has to change things,” he said on the Big Sports Breakfast. “Greg’s been a terrific leader for South Sydney and Queensland but I don’t think you can have the Australian captain going DUI.
“I’m pretty sure Greg and Mal (coach Mal Meninga) will come to the decision that he needs to step down as captain of his country.”
Inglis was reportedly returning from Dubbo’s Koori Knockout rugby league tournament when pulled over after allegedly being clocked speeding outside of Lithgow on Monday afternoon and returned a positive blood alcohol test. The Queensland and South Sydney captain was then taken to a local police station where he allegedly returned a mid-range reading of 0.085.
Daley said the affair would likely spell the end of Inglis’s tenure as Kangaroos captain before it had even begun.
“He’s let himself down. He’s let the game down ... and he’ll pay a massive price for that,” the chief national selector said.
Daley cast doubt on whether Inglis would now play in next month’s Tests against New Zealand and Tonga in Auckland.
His Maroons coach Kevin Walters admitted it was disappointing Inglis found himself in the situation.
“Mal has spoken quite openly about what his expectations are around the team environment, particularly from his senior players,” he said. “I expect that they’ll make a decision this morning on it.”
Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters admitted it was disappointing Inglis found himself in the situation.
“I feel for Greg but also understand there is a responsibility that goes with being Australian captain and what needs to be upheld,” he said “Mal has spoken quite openly about what his expectations are around the team environment, particularly from his senior players.
“I expect that they’ll make a decision this morning on it.”
Melbourne Storm Coach Craig Bellamy speaking on Macquarie Sports Radio Tuesday said he hoped Greg Inglis could retain the captaincy but doubted that would happen., “I’d like to see them just forgive him and let him play and let him be the Captain, but I know there are standards in the game to uphold...”
Inglis had his licence suspended and is scheduled to appear in Lithgow Local Court on November 22.