‘Would’ve been nice’: Immortals given no say on next pick as Mal responds to NRL snub

Mal Meninga has hit out over a surprising snub ahead of the NRL unveling the 14th Immortal in a special ceremony at the SCG.

Mal Meninga. Picture: NRL Imagery

Rugby league’s three living Immortals reportedly were not consulted on who should become the next player to join the game’s most exclusive club.

On Wednesday, the NRL will unveil the 14th Immortal in a special ceremony at the SCG, the group’s first addition since 2018.

A 14-person panel chose the next Immortal last month – but as revealed by The Sydney Morning Herald, Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis and Andrew Johns didn’t get the chance to cast their vote.

According to the publication, legendary broadcaster Ray Warren also wasn’t consulted.

“It would have been nice to be involved, but we weren’t asked,” Kangaroos coach Meninga told the publication.

“It will always be something that is subjective anyway. But we weren’t needed. I’ve voted on the Hall of Fame in the past.

“One of the best accolades you can get in your whole career is to be recognised by your actual peers. But I can’t comment on this year’s Immortal because I never got the chance to vote.”

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Australia head coach Mal Meninga. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“The Hall of Fame Committee was a new process that consolidated all major aspects of the Hall of Fame properties, including both the Hall of Fame and the Immortals for the first time,” a league spokesperson said.

“It included 14 people who represent media, historians and administrators, all of whom have extensive experience in the game.”

Last week, the NRL confirmed the latest Hall of Fame inductees — Lionel Morgan, Les Boyd, Ben Elias, Steve Renouf, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Benji Marshall, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess.

Smith and Ron Coote are among the leading candidates to be named Immortals on Wednesday.

The NRL Hall of Fame ceremony starts at 7:30pm AEST.