No stranger to a pre-game State of Origin controversy, Queensland coach Mal Meninga admitted he would love it if NSW were in disarray over Blake Ferguson’s axing.

However, Meninga said it saddened him to witness Ferguson’s fall after helping the Canberra winger get into the Blues side in the first place.

Ferguson was dumped from the Blues team as the NRL suspended his registration on Monday night, citing repeated behavioural issues involving the abuse of alcohol.

Ferguson was charged by police with indecent assault over an alleged incident on Sunday at a bar in Sydney.

It echoed the Maroons’ Origin I build-up when Queensland police re-opened an investigation into assault allegations made by a woman against Maroons backrower Ben Te’o.

Asked if he hoped NSW were in disarray over Ferguson’s axing, Meninga said on Tuesday: “We would love that.

“But they will want to win this game.

“They will have plenty of motivation.”

Despite having an eighth straight Origin series on the line in next Wednesday night’s game two clash in Brisbane, Meninga took no delight in Ferguson’s plight.

Meninga had become a mentor to Ferguson as the Raiders strike weapon dealt with personal demons.

As a child Ferguson was removed from the Sydney family home by the Department of Community Services and raised by his grandmother 40km away in Wellington.

Meninga bonded with Ferguson, so much so that he reportedly tried to recruit him for Queensland duty.

But NSW won out, resulting in the feel-good story of Ferguson’s Origin debut earlier this month.

Now he is making headlines for all the wrong reasons – and Meninga said Ferguson only had himself to blame.

“It is sad to see what happened with Blake – some of the decisions he makes when on the grog …” Meninga said before trailing off.

“And he doesn’t have a tendency to mix with the right people.

“With those two factors he is easily led and it has led to his demise.

“Let’s hope he learns and everyone else in the game learns from the things he has done wrong.

“Because it is the last thing you want to see in our game.”

Asked if he planned to talk to Ferguson, Meninga said: “Eventually”.

“But I have more important things to worry about at the moment.”

Meninga hoped NSW’s Origin build-up would focus on South Sydney winger Nathan Merritt’s call-up, not Ferguson’s axing.

“He deserves to be there. It’s a really good story,” he said.

AA