The most prolific and successful coach in Origin history has agreed to extend his record-breaking tenure with Mal Meninga close to inking a deal to coach the Maroons for a further three years.
As he goes into camp as Queensland Origin coach for a 10th consecutive season Meninga used the Maroons' team announcement to confirm that he was close to agreeing to terms on a deal that would take him through until the end of the 2018 season.
"I've agreed to go another three years so we're just working out the finer details," Meninga told a packed auditorium.
"That depends on whether Cameron [Smith, Queensland captain] still wants me of course. I haven't discussed it with Cameron yet but another three years in charge so I'm looking forward to it."
By the conclusion of the 2015 Holden State of Origin Series Meninga will have overseen the Maroons' preparation on 30 occasions with Phil Gould (24) and Wayne Bennett the only other coaches to have been in charge for more than 20 Origin games.
With 32 appearances for Queensland where he scored 161 points – including seven goals from as many attempts in the first Origin match in 1980 – Meninga's already sizeable fingerprint on Origin history will be further embedded by the time he hands over the reins.
