NRL 2022: Mal Meninga seeks clarity on his role at Gold Coast Titans

Mal Meninga has asked the Gold Coast Titans to review his position at the embattled club, raising speculation they could sever ties with the rugby league legend.

Mal Meninga is keen to stay on at the Titans. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Mal Meninga’s role at the Titans is under review after the Immortal asked Gold Coast chiefs to clarify his position at the embattled club.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Meninga met Titans powerbrokers on Monday to discuss his future involvement with the club and how he can help resurrect the wooden spoon contenders.

The most successful State of Origin coach in history and current Kangaroos’ mentor, Meninga moved to the Gold Coast in late 2018 after being appointed head of performance and culture at the Titans.

After playing a key role in the appointment of coach Justin Holbrook and recruiting David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Meninga returned to Canberra for family reasons and commuted to the Gold Coast.

When the Covid pandemic evolved in early 2020, Meninga was restricted from travelling to Queensland and revised his role to a high performance senior advisor.

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Mal Meninga has asked the Titans to review his role. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Now, after four years at the Titans, Meninga is set to further change his involvement after asking CEO Steve Mitchell to define a new role.

“It is being reviewed,” Meninga said.

“I had a good meeting with Steve on Monday around what my role is. We’re going to put down a bit more accountability. People don’t understand what my role is and it’s been a difficult period.

“Steve is going to write up a different description from an advisory point of view. What that entails, I haven’t seen it yet. He is going to do that so it gives me more of an idea.

“Through Covid I wasn’t able to get up there. I have been there a few times this year, but it’s been very difficult.

“We’ll see what happens. I’m not quite sure at this stage.”

Meninga, 62, has been working across multiple areas of the Titans.

He has been a sounding board for Holbrook, sits on the club’s recruitment and retention committee and is also involved in commercial aspects of the business.

Meninga is an advisor for coach Justin Holbrook. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

However, with a World Cup approaching, and ongoing travel difficulties, he will be altering his commitments.

After the wooden spoon debacle of 2019, the Titans took steps forward with Meninga’s guidance in 2020 (ninth) and last year (eighth) before imploding this season.

They are sitting 15th on the ladder heading into Sunday’s final home game of the season against Newcastle and Meninga has become a target of critics despite his reduced involvement.

Meninga said he had found it difficult to contribute being away from the Gold Coast, but he wanted to remain involved with the Titans and he believed the club wished to retain him.

“It’s like anything, with challenges people need to be in control and in positions of influence,” he said. “It’s challenging times at the moment and I like to be a bit more active in everything. I’m still optimistic about where the club’s heading.

“At this stage, I’m working through all of that at the moment. I’m not quite sure with what my role is. I’d like to be involved moving forward and I think the club would like that as well, it’s just in what form.”

Mal Meninga has had limited time on the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mitchell said Meninga would remain with the Titans, but his role would be tweaked to offer more support to Holbrook and the playing group.

“Mal’s commitment to the club won’t change,” he said.

“It’s about what the focus looks like. It’s a revision around his tasks and where his focus is.

“That will be in and around supporting the resourcing around Justin and how we embed that to help the senior playing group and environment. How do we improve that and get that even stronger.

“There’ll be some tweaks but no drastic changes. It’s good to have him with us moving forward.”