Missing out on the Kangaroos job will only make Mal Meninga more determined to win an unprecedented fourth straight Origin series for the Maroons, Queensland Rugby League boss Ross Livermore says.

NSW vetoed Queensland's last gasp move to change an ARL policy that blocks state mentors from holding the Test reins, denying Meninga a chance to replace Ricky Stuart as Kangaroos coach.

But it may come back to haunt them.

"Mal said it was no skin off his nose - he will coach Queensland," Livermore told AAP.

"It will only make him more determined to win four straight."

Four-time premiership coach Tim Sheens was named the new Kangaroos mentor on Tuesday.

While NSW had voted against changing the policy, Livermore said Queensland tried one last time at an ARL meeting in Sydney on Tuesday to change their stance in a bid to get Meninga over the line.

The policy was put in place after NSW mentor Terry Fearnley was accused of selection bias toward his Blues players when he took over the Australian job in 1985 against New Zealand.

"We were aware of the situation with the NSW board before we went down there," Livermore said.

"But we were hoping that they might reconsider it after we spoke to them - they didn't.

"They felt the policy should be retained ... but things have changed in 20-odd years since the problem in New Zealand.

"But we will live with that."

However, Livermore denied that Queensland had thrown out a late candidate from left field on Tuesday.

There was speculation that Cowboys coach Neil Henry could be nominated for a Kangaroos nod if Meninga was blocked.

"I don't know where that has come from. We didn't speak to Neil and Neil didn't speak to us," Livermore said.

"If the bloke is interested in the job he would come forward."

Livermore gave former NSW Origin coach Sheens perhaps the ultimate compliment, comparing the Wests Tigers mentor with Queensland's beloved Wayne Bennett.

"Tim has won premierships, he has coached at Origin - although he got beat in that series," Livermore said.

"He is similar to Wayne. He's been around quite a while and very experienced - he will do a good job."

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