Mal Meninga joins Queensland Maroons coaching panel

Mal Meninga has sacrificed a month's pay with the NRL to become Wayne Bennett's assistant for this year's State of Origin series, forming one of the most powerful coaching duos in rugby league history.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Meninga will temporarily step down from his role as Australian coach to help the team he once led to eight straight series victories.

Meninga and Bennett are two of Queensland's most influential figures in the state's 40 year Origin history and have an association with each other that goes back to their days in the Queensland Police Service.

Bennett was also Meninga’s coach in 1985 when he led Souths to the 1985 Brisbane Rugby League title. Bennett also coached Meninga at the Canberra Raiders in 1987 as well as at Origin level for the Maroons.