Mal Meninga's refusal to back down over last week's comments in the Sunday Mail has been met with defamation proceedings from the NRL match review committee. 

MRC members Greg McCallum, Bradley Clyde and Peter Louis have launched the action, and are backed by the NRL and its chief executive David Gallop.

The NRL released a statement confirming a claim had been filed with the Supreme Court of NSW on behalf of the committee yesterday afternoon, as attempts to find an alternative solution failed.

David Gallop said "This has nothing to do with interstate rivalry or a person's right to challenge a decision but it has everything to do with the fact that there are laws against falsely attacking a person's good name and reputation."

NSW coach Ricky Stuart told the Ten Network last night that Meninga should apologise and get the matter sorted before ending up in court.