Australia head coach and ex-Kangaroos and Queensland Origin star Mal Meninga has been unveiled because the Perth Bears ‘ inaugural head coach.
The 64-year-old Meninga signed a three-year contract with the brand new franchise, that means he may very well be 69 when his contract expires in 2030.
He has been answerable for the worldwide staff for eight years, bringing house World Cup wins in 2017 and 2022. Nevertheless, it does imply he is not going to be in cost for this Autumn’s Ashes sequence in England.
Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur and Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess have been additionally believed to be in rivalry for the job.
It’s not but recognized who will succeed Meninga for the Kangaroos as he takes cost of membership rugby for the primary time since 2001.
Meninga is among the most embellished gamers and coaches in rugby league historical past, having coached Canberra (1997-2001) and Queensland (2006-2015) after enjoying 46 take a look at and World Cup matches for Australia’s Kangaroos, 32 State of Origin matches for Queensland and captaining the Raiders to 3 nationwide titles.
Earlier than turning into Kangaroos coach in 2016, Meninga led the Queensland Maroons to their most profitable interval in Origin historical past, profitable 9 of his 10 sequence in cost.
“This is bigger than me,” Meninga stated Friday. “This new pioneering venture over to WA (Western Australia) and the opportunity to be involved in the growth of the game, to grow a club – the Perth Bears – is too good to refuse. I feel very honoured, very nervous, and I think it’s a huge responsibility.”
The game’s premier competitors originated in Sydney however has expanded to incorporate a staff in New Zealand, a staff within the Australian capital, Canberra, a staff within the Victoria state capital, Melbourne, and 4 groups in Queensland state.
Perth Bears will enter the NRL from Australia’s west coast earlier than a staff from rugby league-mad neighbouring Pacific nation Papua New Guinea, which is because of take part 2028 and make it a 19-team competitors. The league’s ambition is a 20-team format.
What’s subsequent?
The Tremendous League season takes per week off for the Betfred Problem Cup finals, with Warrington Wolves dealing with Hull KR at Wembley Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Previous to that, St Helens girls tackle Wigan Warriors girls from 11.45 at Wembley Stadium within the girls’s Problem Cup ultimate.
Week 14 of the Tremendous League season begins on Friday June 13, with Hull KR internet hosting Catalans Dragons on Sky Sports activities Motion (8pm) and Hull FC dealing with Castleford Tigers on Sky Sports activities+ (8pm).
Sky Sports activities will once more present each recreation of Tremendous League reside this season – together with two matches in every spherical solely reside, with the remaining 4 matches every week proven on Sky Sports activities+ by way of the crimson button
