NRL
1 month ago
Back to club land: Mal Meninga wants Perth Bears top job
By Charles Goodsir
Rugby league immortal and SENQ’s Mal Meninga has confirmed his significant interest to become the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears franchise.
Meninga is currently head coach of the Australian Kangaroos and was previously coach of the Queensland Maroons between 2006-2015. Meninga’s Maroons side is widely considered one of the greatest teams ever assembled which was typified with eight consecutive series victories over NSW.
Meninga has coached at club level before and was at the helm of the Canberra Raiders for between the 1997 and 2001 seasons. The 64-year-old told SEN that he has long held a desire to return to club coaching.
“I’d like to be back in clubland and be the main person,” Meninga said on SENQ Breakfast.
“I’d like to be the person and head coach that builds up the foundation of a new entity. That’s a huge challenge, we all know that.
“If they do make the decision and (they feel) I’m the right man to do it under the right conditions, I’m going to get straight into it.
“I’m tinkering with the opportunity to go back into club land and finish my life cycle in rugby league.
“I’ve got the Australian gig and I’m really happy. We have the Ashes and World Cup over in England in the next two years.
“It would be a great opportunity to coach Perth. You are starting up a possible giant in the game.
“There’s a lot you need to do about your junior pathways and development programs but there’s a real opportunity over there to promote the game of rugby league.
“With the incoming TV broadcasting rights, it could be a beast.”
The Perth Bears are slated to enter the competition in 2027.
