Mal+Meninga

Mal Meninga

Malcolm Norman Meninga was born on the 8th July 1960 and was a rugby league legend.

Also known as Big Mal and Chicken George, he was amongst the finest players of the 20th century. He captained the Australian Kangaroos test team and the Queensland Maroons. His outstanding performance at centre and his pin point accuracy goal kicking guaranteed him a spot in the Australian Rugby League’s Hall of Fame and Team of the Century. I think these achievements are interesting as only 17 people are selected into the team of the century and to be one of the 17 is truly remarkable.

Meninga born in Bundaberg Queensland, graduated from Maroochydore High School. His father Norman, came from the Kanakas, islanders captured and brought to Queensland to work in the cane fields. Lee, Meninga’s mother was a Scottish descent. .Mal Meninga is an Australian South Sea Islander and was the official spokesperson for their community. Norm was Mal’s first coach and a footballer himself. Meninga and his three other brothers were all interested in rugby league. At 15, Meninga left school and enrolled at the police academy which he then was influenced by Coach Wayne Bennett.

Mal Meninga made is first grade debut at the age of 18. He played with Bennett’s Souths Magpies in the Brisbane Rugby League Premiership. He was selected into the Queensland State of Origin team in 1979 and helped his team win the next year converting all the tries. In 1982, Meninga was named man of the match in the first game of the State of Origin Series. He then toured Europe with the Australian test team.

Later in 1986, Mal Meninga played for the Canberra Raiders. He was named captain after the Raider’s disappointing loss to Manly in the 1987 Grand Final. From there Meninga led the Raiders to their first ever premiership title in 1989.

In 2001, Mal Meninga attempted a political career that lasted a sheer 28 seconds. After being put off on his first radio interview, Mal Meninga resigned on air shortly after the broadcast commenced.

Mal Meninga is currently holding many records in rugby league. He is the only person to captain the kangaroos twice; he kicked the most goals in test matches and has the record for most state of origin series won in a row with 5. In his honour, the main grandstand of Canberra Stadium is named the “Mal Meninga Stand.” The Mal Meninga Medal is awarded to the Canberra Raiders Player of the Year. And, next to another Canberra legend Laurie Daley is a statue of Mal Meninga.

Mal Meninga is now the current coach of the Queensland state of origin team and is aiming for six State of Origin titles in a row this year.