LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Mal Meninga, the legendary Kangaroos coach, has slammed the NRL for not consulting the three living Immortals in the selection of the 14th player to join the elite club.
The unveiling of the next Immortal is set to take place at a special ceremony at the SCG, marking the first addition to the prestigious group since 2018.
A panel of 14 individuals chose the latest Immortal last month, but shockingly, Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis, and Andrew Johns were not given the opportunity to have their say.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that even the iconic broadcaster Ray Warren was left out of the decision-making process.
"It would've been nice to be involved, but we weren't asked," Meninga lamented.
"It will always be a subjective decision anyway.
But we weren't given the chance.
I've had the honor of voting on the Hall of Fame in the past."
The snub of the Immortals has sparked controversy in the world of Rugby League, with fans and experts alike questioning the NRL's decision-making process.
The exclusion of Meninga, Lewis, and Johns from the selection panel has left many scratching their heads and wondering what criteria was used to determine the next Immortal.
As the Rugby League community eagerly awaits the unveiling of the 14th Immortal, the absence of input from the game's greats has cast a shadow over what should have been a momentous occasion.