Meninga takes over at the Maroons

Mal Meninga has been appointed to coach Queensland in next year's State of Origin rugby league series.

Big Mal recently coached the Prime Ministers XIII to victory over PNG in early September.

The Queensland Rugby League offered Meninga - who played 32 Origins and scored a record 161 points - the job today. He'll replace Newcastle's Michael Hagan who steps aside because of his commitments to the Knights.

The Maroons are staring down the barrel of an unprecedented four straight series losses.

Meninga's support staff - tipped to include sacked Bronco assistant Kevin Walters and former Origin favourite Trevor Gillmeister - will be named next month.