Australia coach Mal Meninga has not dashed Greg Inglis’ hopes of captaining his country when he returns from suspension.

Boyd Cordner has been installed as Kangaroos skipper for this month’s Tests against New Zealand and Tonga after Inglis was stood down on Tuesday, a day after being charged with drink driving and speeding.

Meninga said he was undecided if Sydney Roosters premiership-winning captain Cordner would retain the job in 2019 or whether Inglis would get the chance to lead his country.

“It’s hard to say,” Meninga said on Wednesday.

“First and foremost, it’s great that Boyd Cordner gets the chance to captain this country, he’s had a great year and he’s a terrific leader and a great role model for our game.

“I just want to see Greg have a really strong off-season and start the season really well for the Rabbitohs.

“He’ll lead Queensland next year and then we’ll make some decisions in the back end of next year on who our leaders and captain will be.”

Meninga said Inglis had “stuffed up” after allegedly blowing 0.085 and being clocked speeding in Lithgow while returning from the Koori Knock Out tournament in Dubbo.

Inglis said he intends to plead guilty to the charges.

Meninga has a longstanding relationship with Inglis and said the star centre understood why he was axed from the two-game tour to New Zealand.

“It’s a maybe,” Meninga said when pushed on whether Inglis could ever captain the Kangaroos.

“I’ve got great admiration for Greg, highly respect him, love him dearly, been involved with him for many, many years.

“He was really excited about the role. He is really disappointed in himself.

“But the true character of him; he’s taken it on the chin and admitted he’s wrong. We will move on.”

– AAP