MAL Meninga wants his players to be “emotionally attached” to the Kangaroos jersey ahead of welcoming them into his first camp as head coach.

Meninga also revealed that the Kangaroos style of play would replicate that of the Queensland side that he oversaw to State of Origin dominance.

Ahead of his first Test in control, Meninga will look to reinvigorate the Kangaroos. Ex-players will be brought into camp and Meninga will speak at length to his players about their thoughts and desires surrounding Test football.

“You need to be emotionally attached to the jersey and the team,” Meninga said. “Emotional intelligence comes in many forms. Attitude, preparation and (the jersey) meaning something to you. Those are all sorts of things that are important to a really good performance as well as the physical and mental side (of preparation).

“I’m looking forward to seeing where the players see international rugby league. We’ll find out whether the players want to play in that green and gold.”

Only Darren Lockyer has played more Test matches for the Kangaroos than Meninga. After a record breaking reign as Queensland coach, Meninga has ambitions to re-prioritise the psyche regarding international football.

“We’ve taken the eye off the ball around Test footy,” Meninga said. “Origin is our showpiece and everyone talks about Origin. Origin is a consistent language around players playing for Queensland or NSW. In the good old days players were talked about playing for Australia.

“It’s been a bit of a challenge. The players will be instrumental in the way we go forward.

“But we can’t spend all day talking.”

Combinations will be key for the Kangaroos to overcome the No. 1 ranked Kiwis with just two days available on the training paddock. Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston will again make up the Kangaroos spine alongside long-time representative teammate Darius Boyd in a squad that features 12 Maroons.

Meninga and his former Queensland right hand man Michael Hagan are also in charge of Australia with Meninga anticipating a similar style of play to that of recent Maroons teams.

“That’s why combinations are so important,” Meninga said. “There is a lot of familiarity in the team. They are used to playing with each other.

“The plans won’t change too much about how we want to play. It’s very simple. Defensively is all about attitude. There are small principles about what we do when we defend.”

Thurston, Cronk and Smith also lead the over-30 brigade, which includes Matt Scott, Corey Parker, Paul Gallen and Sam Thaiday.

Meninga said he was more concerned about winning the game in Newcastle on Friday than planning for next year’s World Cup.

“My attitude has been to pick the team here and now for rep footy,” Meninga said. “You don’t pick the team for the future unless there is a position where players weren’t available and you wanted to look to the future. Test footy is here and now. You might not get another game.

“This game is important. You don’t look to the future.”

Download SuperFan NRL - the ultimate rugby league app for iOS