His Midas touch for Queensland may have lost its lustre but Mal Meninga may yet provide a winning glow to a depleted Kangaroos ahead of the Four Nations opener in Brisbane – even players from NSW.
Members of the Meninga-led 1994 Kangaroos squad have arrived in Brisbane to help a rookie Australian Four Nations line-up prepare as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of their legendary tour.
Former Australian hardman Paul Harragon said Meninga helped them realise what it meant to be a Kangaroo before they sent their captain out on a winning note on the last great tour 20 years ago.
And he believed Meninga would have the same effect on the current Australian line-up boasting up to seven debutants ahead of Saturday night’s Four Nations opener against New Zealand in Brisbane.
“It was like playing with our dad – when Mal played you knew everything was going to be okay,” Harragon said.
“I believe Mal will help this (current) team come back to that ’94 tour.
“When you have tradition it’s good for the guys to reflect back and realise how important it is to keep that tradition going.”
Members of the 1994 Kangaroos squad and coach Bob Fulton will attend Friday’s captain’s run at Suncorp Stadium before speaking with the Test side after training.
They are also expected to present jerseys before watching Saturday night’s clash.
Meninga – whose run of eight straight Origin series as Queensland coach ended in 2014 – laughed that he hoped they would inspire the current crop of Kangaroos, “even the NSW players”.
“We will have an important role with the Australian team before the Four Nations which is nice,” Meninga said.
He had no problem with the relative Test inexperience of the Kangaroos’ Four Nations squad.
Eleven new faces were named in the overall 24-man Kangaroos squad.
Half of last year’s World Cup squad have been ruled out through injury or suspension, taking the total number of contenders declared unavailable for Australia to 21.
“When you play Origin you can play a Test, that’s my theory,” Meninga said.
“There’s a bit of inexperience in the backs but they will hold up.
“I believe they will live up to all the expectations of an Australian side – they will do the jersey proud.”
Harragon agreed.
“You can get the best individuals together but it may not click together as a team,” he said.
“I think this squad complements each other in their own way.
“They know playing for Australia is still the ultimate.
“When you have the baton you don’t want to be the team that lets it go.”
Meninga tried to be modest about his triumphant 1994 tour in which they downed Great Britain 2-1 to provide a fitting farewell to his 16-year playing career.
“They carried me,” he laughed.
Harragon was also suddenly tight-lipped when asked about the last of the great Kangaroo tours.
“Fortunately what happens on tour stays on tour,” he smiled.
