The former Maroons coach installed the Manly skipper at halfback in Game Two of the 2015 Origin series after Cooper Cronk broke his arm in the Series Opener.

Cherry-Evans largely struggled and has not played Origin since.

A testing 18 months followed for the halfback after back-flipping on the Titans to sign a lifetime deal on Sydney’s northern beaches.

His form nose-dived in 2016 following the departure of long-term halves partner Kieran Foran.

He also battled injury.

But the 28-year-old is back to his brilliant best this season with the former Kangaroo currently the best-performing half in the NRL.

Meninga said the premiership-winning halfback was first in line to take over in 2018 after the rep retirement of Johnathan Thurston and possibly Cooper Cronk.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters agreed. 

Meninga took ownership for Cherry-Evans’ clunky performance for Queensland in the No.7 jersey.  

“I kind of blame myself a little bit for that, where we’ve got a structure the way we wanted to play at Origin,” Meninga told Fox League.

“He didn’t quite get that at the time but he’s a lot more mature player now.

“He’s a leader at his club and I think we should be putting a game plan around him in time as well.

“He’s got his own different style that he was playing at the Sea Eagles at that particular time.

“But with any good coach I guess, you look at his strengths and look at his weaknesses.

“And with his strengths you look to how we can manufacture the team around him.

“He’s obviously got heaps of experience and he’d want to try and prove himself again at that level, there’s no doubt about that.”