‘I’m going to pick the best players’: Mal Meninga’s Ashes message to Kalyn Ponga after last year’s Kangaroos snub

Australian coach Mal Meninga hasn’t closed the door on Kalyn Ponga winning a spot on the Ashes tour despite turning his back on the Kangaroos last year.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga says Kalyn Ponga’s decision to make himself unavailable for the national side in 2024 won’t rule him out of contention for the Ashes squad later this year.

Meninga has one eye on the massive series that returns after a lengthy hiatus, but his main focus for now is on State of Origin, which kicks off in Brisbane on Wednesday night.

Kalyn Ponga gets the chance to impress Mal Meninga in the Origin opener. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Ponga is back in the No.1 jersey where he’s hoping to fire after a quiet couple of months for the Knights, with the former Dally M Medal winner in the mix to earn a Kangaroos call-up if he can dominate the series.

The 27-year-old caused a stir last year when he turned down a potential Kangaroos debut so he could focus on the Knights, only to change his mind following public backlash.

Meninga didn’t pick Ponga in the squad for the Pacific Championships, with Dylan Edwards doing a wonderful job as Australia beat Tonga in the final.

And while last year’s situation was far from ideal, Meninga won’t let it cloud his judgment if Ponga excels in Origin and puts his hand up to represent Australia amid speculation he could one day play for New Zealand.

“One of the reasons he didn’t want to play last year for the Kangaroos was because of fatigue,” the Immortal said.

“We had those conversations last year, so that’s not going to impinge on him playing for Australia.

“If he comes out and kills it for Queensland … I’m going to pick the best players (at the end of the year) to represent their country.

“Because of conversations we had in the past, that’s not going to reflect in the future.”

Mal Meninga has teamed up with DrinkWise to deliver an important message. Picture: DrinkWise

Meninga is big on respect for the jersey, and he’s also promoting respect for everyone and encouraging footy fans to drink in moderation during the Origin period.

The rugby league legend has teamed up with DrinkWise to encourage fans to celebrate the action responsibly at the ground, the pub or at home with friends and family.

“It’s a great initiative to use Origin and rugby league as a vehicle to talk about social change around moderation or drinking responsibly,” he said.

“Respect for each other when you go to a game or you’re at home is really important. For me, respect is part of our behaviours and standards for the Kangaroos, so that marries up really well for me.

“Players in the modern age do drink responsibly, or some don’t drink at all because they understand the responsibility to their community, club and mates.

“Drinking in moderation is a smart move for their careers, and as I said before, respect is pretty prevalent in our game.”

Meninga has seen players like Cameron Munster give up alcohol and the positive impact that’s had on and off the field, with the former Maroons coach backing the Queensland star’s halves partner to fire on Wednesday night.

Daly Cherry-Evans hasn’t been at his brilliant best as the world waits for him to sign with the Roosters, but Meninga is tipping him to put that behind him when he pulls on the maroon jersey.

Daly Cherry-Evans has been in all the headlines this year after telling Manly he’s leaving at the end of the season. Picture: Lachie Millard

“He’s our leader, and that’s what leaders do – they’ve got to lead from the front,” he said.

“‘Chez’ won’t be worried by what’s going on because he’s got so much experience. All this chatter off the field isn’t going to worry him or the team.

“They might have had a quick chat about it at the start of camp, but I reckon they’ve moved on past all that.

“Whatever Daly does for next year isn’t going to have an impact on his or Queensland’s performance.”

Meninga didn’t pick Cherry-Evans in the Australian side last year, with Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden combining brilliantly.

The way Cherry-Evans handled his demotion impressed Meninga, who has been pleased to see the veteran playmaker work so enthusiastically with Dearden even though he took his place in the team.

“He cares about the players around him,” Meninga said.

“Even if there’s another half who he’s in competition with, he’s always there to help out. He’s got that team mindset, which you need.”