Mal Meninga chugs entire bottle of Smokey BBQ Sauce at The Regatta

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If Sir Walter James Lewis AM is the King of Queensland, then Malcolm Norman Meninga AM is the Supreme Leader.

The latter was spotted yesterday evening at a popular Brisbane hotel enjoying a nice room-temperature bottle of Masterfoods Smokey BBQ Sauce – a staple in every Queensland kitchen.

Speaking to The Advocate this morning via telephone, Mr Meninga said he often relaxes with a pot glass of the delicious condiment at the end of each day but on the eve of the Origin decider, he decided to rip the foil off a fresh bottle and hook in.

“It’s not like I’m nervous, I don’t get nervous,” said Meninga.

“I needed something to take the edge off and nothing can dull the blade of Origin pressure like the velvety sweetness of a fine, smoke-seasoned barbeque sauce,”

“I love Queensland.”

Scholars have long since tried to establish exactly why folk in the Sunshine State have such an unwavering penchant for smokey BBQ sauce but so far none have been able to definitively answer that question.

As the Queensland state dish has been potato gems slathered in the sticky brown gloop since Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen declared it in 1971, many believe the Kiwi-Australian was instrumental in its rise in popularity.

“It was Sir Joh who got me onto BBQ sauce,” said Meninga.

“I’m doing this for you, Joh. We’re going to win.”

More to come.