Mal Meninga on Semi Radradra, Andrew Fifita and his plans for the World Cup

ANDREW Fifita may make his way back into the Australian team but as far as Mal Meninga is concerned, Semi Radradra’s Kangaroos career is over.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA — OCTOBER 15: Australian coach Mal Meninga talks with Sam Thaiday and Cameron Smith after winning the International Rugby League Test match between the Australian Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis at nib Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

MAL Meninga will lift his ban on Andrew Fifita, but has terminated Semi Radradra’s Australian career in a move that has opened the Test door for Broncos ace Corey Oates.

Having returned Australia to the No. 1 ranking, Meninga spoke with searing honesty as he outlined his Kangaroos blueprint in a World Cup year.

The Australian coach opened up about his fears for Test football, Fifita’s future, Radradra’s banishment and his relationship with Wayne Bennett, labelling the England mentor his “frenemy”.

FIFITA IN THE FRAME

Sharks grand-final hero Fifita will launch his 2017 campaign tomorrow morning when he spearheads Cronulla’s pack in their World Club Series clash against Wigan.

Fifita was overlooked by Meninga for his Four Nations squad last October as the NRL integrity unit punished the Sharks enforcer for his support of one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.

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But Meninga has wiped the slate clean and will consider Fifita for the Anzac Test in May _ Australia’s maiden outing in their mission to win the World Cup.

“Andrew Fifita will be considered this year, yes, he’s back in the frame,” said Meninga, speaking for the first time about Fifita’s representative future.

Fifita was overlooked for the Four Nations squad.

“Look, Andrew was going through an integrity unit decision last year and that put a cloud over everything.

“It (banning Fifita) was an important statement for the game in general. When you put the green and gold jersey on, you become a role model for the game and that rewards your on-field play and off-field behaviour.

“That’s my attitude and the senior players support that stance. As Cameron Smith (Test captain) said last year, it’s not that hard to be good, so treat the game with respect.

“But things with Andrew have been resolved now, it’s a brand new year.

“I know what a great quality player he is, how important he is to Cronulla and how well he played in the grand final. He has played for Australia before so he is back in the picture, no doubt.”

SEMI-CHARMED RUN IS OVER

Meninga, however, has delivered the bullet to Radradra’s Kangaroos career — drawing the curtain on one of the most farcical selection narratives in Australian league history.

Kangaroos hierarchy came under fire last season for handing Radradra a green and gold jumper just weeks after he renounced his ties to Fiji, his country of birth.

The Eels hulk made his debut against the Kiwis, but was overlooked for the Four Nations due to allegations of domestic violence.

Radradra will defect to French rugby next season and Meninga says he will look to mentor other wingers.

Penrith flyer Josh Mansour is the frontrunner to replace Radradra but Oates can secure a World Cup berth with a bumper year for the Broncos.

Radradra made his Kangaroos debut last May.

“My personal opinion is Semi won’t be picked for the Kangaroos because if we do that he is in front of someone else who is playing our game. He also has his personal ordeal,” Meninga said.

“If you make a decision to go elsewhere, we’ll make a decision that’s in the best interests of rugby league and the Australian team.

“I’ll see what the other selectors feel like but we’ll give Josh Mansour or Corey Oates a chance to play for Australia this year.

“Semi may come back to rugby league one day if he doesn’t like it in rugby. But he’s making decisions based on his personal needs and good luck to him.

“I’m not condoning what he does but if you want to play for the Kangaroos, you have to commit to rugby league.”

THE BEST OF FRENEMIES

Meninga caused a firestorm during the Four Nations when he launched a stinging attack on Bennett, who agreed to coach England after missing out on the Australian post.

The former Maroons super coach believed Bennett attempted to undermine him for the Kangaroos job.

The spat marred a 40-year relationship stretching back to the Queensland Police Academy.

Meninga says the pair have since settled their differences.

He sees the merit in Bennett helping England, but admits their friendship has been eroded by the political battle for the Australian job.

“I guess you could say we are the best of frenemies,” Meninga said with a wry grin.

“We’re friends, but we’re distant friends. It’s no-one’s fault. We’ve grown apart and both moved on. Wayne was with the Raiders all those years ago (as coach) and then he went to the Broncos. Now I do my thing.”

Meninga and Bennett have had some serious bust ups recently.

Of their Four Nations bust-up, Meninga said: “There was probably a bit of a misunderstanding from both sides. Wayne didn’t quite understand my role with the Kangaroos and I didn’t understand what his grievances were with the game itself.

“But we resolved it like men. We had a good discussion to sort things out and now we look ahead.

“What I will say is that Wayne has been great for international rugby league and when we were at the Four Nations, the amount of media at our press conferences was incredible.

“I hope he stays on as England coach because we need international football to be strong.

“It was nice to get Australia back to that No. 1 spot, but the pressure is on and there’s more work for us to do.

“The World Cup is coming up and to be honest, it do or die really for international rugby league.

“We need the tournament to be a success to put international league back on the calendar and Wayne will play his part in that.”

Originally published as Mal Meninga on Semi Radradra, Andrew Fifita and his plans for the World Cup