MAL Meninga does not think Queensland will need a new State of Origin coach any time soon. And he is glad about that for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it means that Kevin Walters will continue on his unbeaten ways as Queensland coach into 2018 and beyond, as he looks to continue the Maroons dynasty in the face of new challenges presented by the yet-to-be-revealed Blues coach.

Secondly, should Walters elect to quit the Queensland post to take up the head coaching role with the Gold Coast Titans, as has been publicly proclaimed, then Meninga admits he does not know where the Maroons will turn for a replacement coach.

“Personally I think that Kevvie will stay as coach of Queensland,” Mal told fogs.com.au.

“I think Kevvie knows what a terrific job he has, being able to work with the best players in the world on rugby league’s biggest stage. And the past two years have shown that Kevvie is very good at what he does.

“But hypothetically, if he was to walk away, I don’t really know who is the next in line to take over as Queensland coach.

“I imagine the Queensland Rugby League would be looking towards some of the more experienced Queenslanders currently coaching in the NRL, like Wayne Bennett, Paul Green or maybe even a Brad Arthur.

“But I think moving back to a part-time Queensland coach would be a mistake. The results that we have achieved over the past 12 years, with 11 series wins, would prove that the system we currently have is working and working well. So I don’t know why you would be looking to get away from that.

“And the job goes well beyond just coaching three games with Queensland every year. There is a lot more involved with off-the-field work with the QRL to make sure that we are not only successful on the field, but the right steps are being taken at lower levels to ensure that success continues for generations to come.

“Giving that away by going back to an NRL coach looking after Origin on a part-time basis would be a mistake in my opinion.”

Meninga says, like the Maroons’ playing stocks, the next generation of coaches is slowly coming through to carry Queensland ahead in the years to come, but Walters is crucial to maintaining the momentum until the coaching cavalry arrives.

“Certainly a guy like Cameron Smith would be an ideal coach for Queensland, and I think that he does have that desire in him to do the job one day,” Meninga said.

“Similarly, Johnathan Thurston is another guy who I think would like to test himself at Origin level as a coach, and I also think he would be tremendously good at it.

“But the problem for Queensland is, were Kevin to walk away, those guys are still a few years away from being ready to make the transition from coaching to playing.

“Someone like Darren Lockyer is absolutely qualified to do the job, and is in the right stage of his career to do it. But he does not want to coach. I know because I have asked him.

“So it would mean we would most likely be looking at a younger or more inexperienced coach to fill that role if Kevin were to leave.

“And that is not necessarily a bad thing either. We are very fortunate with the Maroons that we have a tremendous set-up with a very experienced off-field staff that includes guys like Trevor Gillmeister, Allan Langer, Gavin Allen and Steve Walters.

“So whoever came into the role would definitely have a great support network around him.”

While Meninga expects Walters to remain at the helm of the Maroons for a while yet, what is certain is that the Blues will have a new coach for 2018 after the NSW Rugby League elected not to extend Laurie Daley’s contract after a fourth series defeat in five years this season.

Meninga said he felt sorry for his former Raiders and Kangaroos teammate, who has become another casualty of the Maroons Origin juggernaut.

“Laurie put his heart and soul into coaching NSW, the same way that he did as a player, and I know it would be hurting him to have it taken away because it is a job that he loves,” Meninga said.

“As Blues coach, Laurie was able to do what no other coach since 2005 has done and that was win a series with the Blues in 2014.

“He was a great guy to play with, and I know his players always wanted to perform well for him because of the respect they have for him.”