4 replies to this topic

[kiwityke]

Queensland coach Mal Meninga has launched a scathing attack on NSW rugby league powerbrokers, claiming they tried to "destroy a dynasty" by undermining the Maroons State of Origin team.

In his Sunday newspaper column, Meninga slams the "very rats and filth that tried to poison a monumental team with lies, personal attacks, arrogance and disrespect."

The coach who guided Queensland to their sixth-straight Origin series victory last Wednesday night over NSW, claimed "faceless men of influence" within the game had decided the Maroons success was "detrimental to the health of the game."

Meninga said discrepancies in judiciary rulings throughout the series, as well as personal attacks on his coaching style were part of a smear campaign that was "malicious and orchestrated."

He also criticised NSW captain Paul Gallen for blaming referees instead of giving credit to a superior team and blasted the media's portrayal of Ricky Stuart's decision to conceal the make-up of his team for game three until an hour before kick-off.

Meninga didn't point the finger at individuals but seemed to vent his anger at Sydney's media, the NSW Blues and powerbrokers within the game itself.

"They are the ones who dragged the spotlight off the game on the field and on to the judiciary with the citing of Johnathan Thurston, and who found five weeks' worth of difference in the identical tackles of David Taylor and Akuila Uate," Meninga wrote in the Sunday Mail.
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"They are the ones who criticise Queensland's two closed training sessions as a refusal to promote the game, yet give their blessing to the NSW decision not to name its team until an hour before kick-off - the first time in Origin history.

"They are the ones who have the hide to label Queensland - a team built on the twin pillars of respect and humility - arrogant in victory and whingers in defeat, but offer nothing when their captain places the loss of the series at the feet of the referees, instead of acknowledging superior opponents.

"For them, the self-appointed keepers of the game, rugby league's health depended on NSW winning this year.

"That is what made me and others targets of personal attacks this year, conceived by puppets and driven by smarter people with their own interests at heart."

Meninga's role as Queensland coach was questioned by the media during the Origin series, and the former Maroons and Test great said he knew the people who were behind the criticism.

[Bourbon Rat]

I seem to recall a similar outburst involving Storm,which ended with the 'judiciary' taking civil action & Gallop fining the club.
I also recall Sticky's straight faced response "WE DIDN'T DO THIS".
But he did seek to gain advantage from it .
It would appear this was again the case & once again we get the
'not me mister - I didn't do it' defence
The Sydney media & certain NRL/ARL identities certainly had an NSW bias during Origin,but then so did the Qld media,(minus the mud slinging ).

[G Las D]

Everything about State of origin seems larger than life to cosmic proportions. This outburst from MM seems to fit into the SoO landscape perfectly. Media coverage is manic, sledging is par for the course and naturally reactions can be extreme/

Yes, this is a full blast verbal assault. It will serve to keep the rivalry on the boil like so much else does.

[G Las D]

Meninga's words have drawn fire from the NRL who have got their law firm to threaten to sue Meninga for his comments.
They say his statements are defamatory.

They don't wish to inflame the situation, but hey why not bring the lawyers in. They are always good to spend a lot of money on aren't they?

[G Las D]

The lawyers set MM a deadline to apologise or say he would apologise. This deadline has now passed.