Written by Matthew O'Neill.
This page as a special League Flashback by Matthew to celebrate the opening of Mal's
Green Machine and also Planet Mal.
Alot of times sports stars either retire too early or kick on a year too long. Often many
sports people regret going on too long or getting out when still in
there prime.
In the case of Mal Meninga, his departure as a
Rugby League player was timed to perfection, didn't quit too soon or late and went out of
the game in grand style, so good it was, it was nearly scripted.
There was always speculation on Meninga's playing days during the early 1990's. At around
1992, Meninga set himself a tough ask to farewell his days as a player on the 1994
Kangaroo Tour.
For Meninga to achieve that he would have to maintain the form that made him one of the
all time great players since he burst onto the Origin scene in 1980.
Meninga's form in 1992 and 1993 was up and down. His performances for Australia were first
class, but was found wanting in some of the Origin matches during that time. His form for
Canberra was good without being spectacular.
He set himself for a big 1994. His form for Canberra prior to the Origin series was not
the best. Named as QLD captain for the 3rd successive year, Meninga was to have a very
disapointing series.
QLD won the first match courtesy of a last second freakish try to Mark Coyne which Meninga
threw the final pass for. The final two matches for Meninga were not good for him. Losing
14-0 in Melbourne, he was to play his final Origin in front of his adoring home crowd at
Lang Park. Over 40,000 people turned up to say farewell to a QLD legend, but QLD was to
have a disappointing night, losing 27-12. The match was all gone early when his Canberra
team mates in the NSW side, Mullins, Clyde and Daley all scored early tries to see NSW
race to a 18-0 lead.
Despite QLD losing the match, the crowd hung around to give Meninga a great farewell from
a ground he left so many fond memories for Brisbane Rugby League fans playing for Souths
in Brisbane, Queensland and Australia during his long career.
There were calls for Meninga's head from the Test side, but with his past track record, he
was retained in the centres and as captain to lead Australia in a one-off Test against
France at Parramatta Stadium. Over 27,000 people flocked to Parramatta to farewell from
Test football in Australia. The Aussies won the match very easily by 58-0 with Meninga
crossing over for a try and kicking five goals.
The confidence shown by the ARL and the Test selectors in picking Meninga to captain the
side against France spurred him on for the rest of 1994 and he was to play some vintage
Meninga football.
Meninga was the figure head in Canberra's late season charge to finish in the top three.
The Raiders won there final eight matches to snare 3rd position with Meninga in some of
the best form of his career. The Raiders final home game for 1994 was in round 21 against
Wests. Over 25,000 crammed into Bruce Stadium to farewell Meninga from the ACT as a
player. He had given the Raiders nine seasons of service and been captain since 1989.
The final match of the 1994 was against Manly at Brookvale to determine 3rd spot. The
Raiders won 21-18 to snare a place in the all important top three. It was obvious coming
into the semi finals that Meninga's final season dreams would be achieved. Canberra were
long odds favourites to win the premiership with only Canterbury offering some form of
chance to challenging them.
Canberra breezed through North Sydney in the opening semi final to setup a big clash with
minor premiers Canterbury for a place in the grand final. Down 14-6 in the first half,
Meninga was to score a great try on half time to get the Raiders back to 14-12 at the
break. Canberra were down 18-12 on full time before David Westley scored to see the match
go into extra time. The Bulldogs kicked a last minute field goal to hang on to win 19-18.
The Raiders then had to play Norths again in the preliminary final to play Canterbury in
the grand final. The Bears started better and were in control. Worse was to happen for
Canberra when John Lomax was sent off and later suspended for a high tackle. A few minutes
after Lomax was sent off, Norths Gary Larson was sent off for a bad spear tackle. The send
off of Larson turned the whole match around. With less players on the field, the Raiders
pacier backline clicked with Meninga also having a good game.
The grand final against Canterbury was all set with Meninga to retire from the game in
Australia with a bang. The Raiders with the Meninga emotion and more big name players were
expected to win but the Bulldogs under the inspired leadership of Terry Lamb had put
together a tough and uncompromising side.
Any nerves Canberra had in the grand final were gone when Bulldogs prop Martin Bella
knocked on from the kick off. Canberra playing perfect big match football from the outset,
hammered the Canterbury line before forcing a line drop out. From the next set of six,
David Furner was to score from a Paul Osborne offload.
Also playing in his final game and as a late replacement for the suspended John Lomax,
Osborne was to have the game of his life, being a central part in the Raiders first three
tries to blow them out to a 14-0 from virtually the kick off.
Canberra went to half time leading 18-6 with Noa Nadruku scoring nearing thehalf time
break.
The Raiders blew out to a 30-6 lead early in the 2nd half with tries to Nagas and Croker.
The Bulldogs managed a try to Hetherington to get the score to 30-12 before the extreme
moment of personal glory was to happen for Meninga. With Canterbury throwing the ball
around, Meninga was to intercept a Jason Smith pass and run 40m, out pacing Jarrod
McCracken to score next to the posts. Meninga's determination to get to the line was
evident in the speed he showed, bringing flashbacks to his younger days.
Canberra won the premiership 36-12, sending Meninga out as a winner in Australia. There
was only one final hurdle for Meninga as player and that was achieved on the night of the
grand final when he was named as captain of the 1994 Kangaroos. He was to become the only
player in history to go on four tours as a player and the only player to captain two
Kangaroo touring sides.
Australia started the tour in fine form with Meninga playing solidly. The first Test was
at Wembley with Australia firm favourites. Early in the match, Bradley Clyde was set to
score when Shaun Edwards felled him in a sickening high tackle. Edwards was sent off and
Australia's best forward was out of the match. Great Britain with only 12 players managed
to cause a great upset winning 8-4 with Jonathon Davies scoring a great 50m solo try that
gave the Brits victory.
Meninga was disappointing in the first Test with calls for his head. Coach Bob Fulton had
lots of faith in his good mate to produce when it matters and Meninga was named as captain
for the 2nd Test at Old Trafford. With Great Britain pressing the Australian line and set
to score, Meninga came up with a crucial intercept on his 10m line, running 80m before
passing to winger Andrew Ettingshausen to score. Meninga showed his greatness and
experience in setting up ET for the try. He managed to suck in all four British chasers
and timed the pass to perfection, gving Ettingshasen an easy 10m stroll to score.
Australia after the Meninga intercept for the Ettingshausen try played all over Great
Britain to win 38-10 and keep the series alive. It was a great performance by the Aussies
and brilliantly led by Meninga.
The final Test was played in front of a packed house of 39,000 at Elland Road in Leeds. In
a tough match, the Kangaroo's got up 23-4 with the scoreline no reflection at all on the
match. Long time team mate of Meninga for Canberra, QLD and Australia, Steve Walters was
to have his finest match in helping Australia secure the Ashes and enable Meninga to
depart England a winner, a country he has played with greatness for Australia on four
Kangaroo tours and with St. Helens in the 1984-85 off season.
Meninga had achieved everything he set out to do before he retired. There was only one
minor obstacle to go and that was a one off Test match in France. Only a miracle would see
Meninga leave the game as a last match loser. No miracles was to happen and Australia won
in a world record score of 74-0 with Meninga scoring the Kangaroo's final try on tour with
a block busting run carrying defenders over the line.
It was a perfect end to one of the all time great Rugby League careers. Meninga more so
then any other player in sport timed his final year in his profession to prefection.
A slow start to 1994 ended in triumph and glory for a shy young Queenslander named Malcolm
Norman Meninga.
Meninga offered to come back in 1996 to help the Raiders through an injury crisis but
common sense prevailed and Meninga's final year in the game will live in many people's
memories.
After two years out of the game, Meninga in 1997 came back to coach the Canberra Raiders
when long time coach Tim Sheens headed to coach strugglers North QLD Cowboys.
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