Queensland coach Mal Meninga has warned the best is yet to come from superstar Greg Inglis, State of Origin’s all-time leading try-scorer.
Inglis has been a dominant figure in the Maroons’ seven straight Origin series wins since his debut in 2006.
And Meninga says that, at age 26, Inglis is just coming into his prime and his “aura of success” has become a powerful team motivator.
“I think he can get better. With maturity and experience you get to understand yourself better,” said Meninga on Wednesday.
“You learn and understand where your strengths lie and your weaknesses are and how you handle adversity.
“That’s where you become a consistent player. Greg’s getting into that realm of becoming a consistent player through maturity.
“He’ll keep on developing because once you think you know everything, it’s time to retire.”
Meninga believed the Inglis effect was rubbing off on NRL ladder leaders South Sydney as it had with Queensland.
“He’s now got that aura of success and I think he’ll drag a lot of players along with him,” said Meninga.
“I think the Rabbitohs are not too far from forming a little dynasty in regards to success.”
Inglis went past former Maroons utility Dale Shearer’s Origin try-scoring record with his 14th try in his 18th Origin last year.
And he has started 2013 in career-best form, sparking debate whether he should be picked at fullback for the series.
“You just change the number on his back and he becomes the best player in the world in that position,” said Queensland fullback Billy Slater, a former teammate of Inglis with Melbourne.
Queensland captain Cameron Smith said the Maroons had learned to expect Inglis to produce something special when it was needed.
“He’s that type of bloke, when you need something done he will get his hands on the ball and do it,” said Smith. “It’s a phenomenal skill to have.”
Inglis has enjoyed his switch from centre to fullback for South Sydney.
“It was just taking the training wheels off and going for it,” he said.
Inglis admits he lost his way a little after effectively being pushed out of the Melbourne door to ease the club’s salary cap pressure.
When he arrived at Redfern in 2011 he copped media criticism over his weight and fitness and it took him time to find his feet and play his best again.
“You can go back and read all the articles that have been written about me and you can tell that it was showing on the field and I wasn’t really enjoying my footy,” he said candidly.
“It took me a year, but I’m loving my footy and I haven’t looked back since.”
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