Queensland coach Mal Meninga confirmed reports on Thursday that he was asked to leave by bar by security guards, barely 24 hours after claiming he was fed up with rugby league’s image being tarnished.
But the league legend insisted he was not drunk and had acted responsibly, while slamming media coverage of the incident.
“When national TV uses it as the lead story this morning I find it quite ludicrous really,” Meninga told reporters.
“I’m a little bit disappointed in the way it’s been managed by the media, to be honest with you.”
Meninga had been with his Queensland State of Origin squad at the Brisbane bar, celebrating the 30th birthdays of skipper Cameron Smith and fullback Billy Slater.
Reports said staff intervened after Meninga allegedly stepped behind a service area asking for a beer at around 1:00am on Wednesday and he left without any trouble.
“I believe I acted responsible,” he said. “I wasn’t intoxicated. I wasn’t assisted from the bar at all. I left of my own accord with a couple of fellows who tried to protest.”
