Mal Meninga

Meninga has been at the helm of Australia since late 2015 and led the Kangaroos to success at the Rugby League World Cup in 2017.

The rugby league great will remain at the helm for at least another two years, it was announced on Monday.

"I'm incredibly honoured to continue to coach the Kangaroos and in particular have the opportunity to coach the team to another World Cup campaign," Meninga said in a statement.

"Playing for my country was for me the pinnacle of my career and I know that every player I've coached as part of the Kangaroos has felt similarly.

Saifiti is tipped to make his Blues debut in game two, after coming in to replace the injured David Klemmer, but Meninga doesn’t think it is a like for like replacement.

“An inexperienced prop coming in to what is a must-win game, taking the place of a very experienced player in David Klemmer - I find that a bit strange,” Meninga said.

“I just think you need another experienced prop to start the game.’’

The shock selection of the 23-year-old Knights front-rower to replace one of the Blues best in game one is a risk.

The iconic trio of Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater have all retired from representative rugby, while Michael Morgan has suffered a season-ending pectoral tear.

As such, Meninga is keeping a close eye on the Origin series, which New South Wales Blues lead 1-0 after game one.

"A lot of weight will be placed on the Origin series this year and who wins it," Meninga said.

"Particularly around the spine, your nine, seven, six and one. Some of our greatest ever players have retired so our spots are wide open."

Inglis left the field to undertake a head injury assessment during the Rabbitohs' 18-14 loss at Penrith Stadium.

He was booed as he made his way to the bench, with one fan allegedly calling him a 'black dog'.

The Panthers yesterday issued an apology to Inglis for the behaviour, and are now investigating the incident alongside the NRL Integrity Unit.

An angry Meninga labelled the act 'disgusting' and said the person responsible should be banned for life.

"I thought racial vilification was gone out of our game, it obviously hasn't," he said.

Look at their longevity in the game and what they achieved. They were true greats worthy of being named in the company of the eight Immortals.

Mal went on a record-breaking four Kangaroo tours and was dominant at that level. He was one of the original Maroons in Origin and was front and centre of their success for 15 years.

Then you consider what he did for the Canberra Raiders in establishing that club as a powerhouse of the late 1980s right through to the mid-1990s.

Reports emerged on Thursday morning that Bennett had called for a crackdown on Australia's tactics, with the master coach claiming that the Kangaroos deliberately slow the ruck by calling on a third defender whose job is to lay on top of teammates who had already completed the tackle. 

Tipped by many to run up a cricket score against the tournament minnows, the Aussies struggled for continuity in the first half, establishing a 10-0 lead at the break before they ran away with it in the final 10 minutes. 

The damaging Sharks prop was named by Meninga in his 24-man squad on Tuesday before calling his coach on Thursday morning to announce he would be representing Tonga, for whom he played once back in 2010.

The Gold Coast superstar fullback headlined the 20-man squad named by World All Stars coach Meninga for the February 10 clash against the Indigenous All Stars in Newcastle.

While Hayne has in the past haunted Meninga, he is shaping as Australia's x-factor ahead of next year's World Cup defence on home soil.

The former San Francisco 49er will be a big part of the Australian coach's plans next year and the All Stars will give him an early chance to assess the 28-year-old.

The fact Meninga beat Wayne Bennett to the green-and-gold post – something that has been dredged up since the start of the current Four Nations - wasn't the only controversial aspect of the appointment.

At the time he was offered the post, the former Australia captain already had a Test coaching job – in a country where he is considered a demigod.

PNGRL chief executive Bob Cutmore said in December, "it is a bit disappointing to me that we haven't been officially informed that he was going to take the position, when he has a current contract from us."