Mal Meninga is in the hotseat to replace Ricky Stuart as Kangaroos coach. The drama that confronts Meninga, however, involves the legendary centre giving up his cherished Queensland coaching position in order to lead his country for the first time in his illustrious career.
The decision in any code would be a no brainier. The pinnacle of coaching involves taking charge of the national team and leading them to unparalleled glory.
If Meninga was offered to coach Australia, he should take it without hesitation.
But something is holding him back – his allegiance to the Maroons in State of Origin football.
Meninga has won three consecutive series with Queensland and the QRL are offering a juicy three year extension to his current deal.
It seems the man with the most Test and Origin caps next to his name faces an agonising decision, which involves Meninga giving up his Origin coaching position to manage the Kangaroos.
Why should it even be a difficult decision in the first place?
Leading a nation in any sport is a tremendous honour for any coach, whether it be a former player or a brilliant tactician.
The aura of success that comes with coaching the premier side in rugby league really should lure Meninga to the position of Australian head coach.
It seems, however, that Origin is once again in the way in terms of Meninga’s possible Kangaroos appointment.
He now finds himself in a position where his allegiance is divided for both State and country.
Yes, Origin is a great spectacle and is probably rugby league’s most competitive rivalry.
But surely choosing State over country is taking it a bit far, especially for a man who was elected as one of the two best starting centres in Kangaroos history with his inclusion in the greatest Australian side ever named.
Although there is plenty of history, pride and passion in Origin football, Meninga of all people should know that playing for your country, let alone coaching them is the pinnacle for any player or manager for that matter.
Even though NSW Origin legend Benny Elias claims Meninga would be biased towards Blues players if selected as Kangaroos coach, Terry Fearnley did the same in 1985, meaning Meninga should know the negative effects if he were to take such an approach.
Not that one thinks he will.
Meninga should be the Kangaroos next coach.
Alan
Roar Guru
Aussie D The QRL have offered Meninga a very nice three year deal coaching the Maroons. It is believed that Meninga stands to earn more money coaching Queensland than coaching Australia. Now, Meninga will only coach Australia if it means also coaching the Maroons aswell.
Aussie D
Guest
On the radio the other day it was reported that Mal was willing to stand down as Qld origin coach if it meant he could take on the Kangaroos role. Has he changed his mind or was it misreported in the first place. I have noticed that the Daily Telegraph has taken a NSW v Qld line on this whole situation and reading between the lines is pushing for Laurie Daley to get the job.
oikee
Guest
Why not just give someone the test job for 3 years, then mal can coach the test team after his origin stint. He has 3 years for origin, now if we win the next 3 years then Mal can move on, i would be more than happy with that. Then he will not have any commitment at all and have 2 years before next world cup. And you could give another coach 3 years in the aussie job. Thats fair. Why stick a coach in there for years to become stall anyhow. Mal is a born leader, just his presence earns respect.
Spiro Zavos
Expert
The nature of the RL perceptions are such that the State of Origin ranks higher in terms of interest and achievement than the Tests against England and NZ. The loss by the Kangaroos in the 2008 World Cup tournament to the Kiwis might change this. But I doubt it. You would think that this result was an aberration and that next year the Kangaroos will continue their decades long domination of the other RL nations. In these circumstances Mal Meninga may well decide the best RL job he can have is coaching Queensland in the State of Origin series for the next three years. And who could criticise him if he makes this decision. It seems obvious now that that there should be club coaches, specific coaches for the State of Origin series who are not involved in coaching clubs, and specific coaches for the Kangaroos who are not involved with the clubs or the State of Origin. It would be interesting, for instance, to see what someone like Warren Ryan would do with the Kangaroos, if he wanted to get back for a short intense stint of coaching.