NRL 2024: Mal Meninga reappointed as Kangaroos coach despite record loss to NZ Kiwis in Pacific Championship

The ARL Commission has made a call on Mal Meninga’s future as Kangaroos coach, after Australia’s record-breaking loss to New Zealand in the Pacific Championship.

Former NZ adviser Wayne Bennett has confirmed he wants to takeover as Kiwis coach.

Mal Meninga has been reappointed as Australia coach as the ARL Commission resisted the urge to wield the axe in the wake of the Kangaroos’ Pacific Championships implosion.

This masthead can reveal Meninga has clinched a contract extension after surviving an ARL Commission review of the national team in the aftermath of Australia’s shock 30-0 loss to New Zealand last November.

Meninga’s contract expired at the completion of the Pacific Championships and speculation was rife the NRL Immortal could be jettisoned following one of the most humiliating defeats in Australia’s 115-year history.

But the ARLC has rubber-stamped a new deal for Meninga, with chairman Peter V’landys adamant the 63-year-old is the right man to spearhead Australia’s World Cup revenge mission in 2026.

Terms are being finalised but the one certainty is Meninga will be back in green-and-gold in 2024 as he eyes a potential showdown with former Test match sparring partner Wayne Bennett.

Mal Meninga is set to be reappointed as the Kangaroos coach for 2024. Picture: Getty Images

Bennett has been short-listed for the New Zealand Test job and the prospect of the Queensland legends locking horns again would add a spicy narrative to the trans-Tasman tussle for World Cup supremacy.

The new deal puts Meninga on track to chalk up 10 years of service with the Kangaroos _ and be installed as one of the most decorated coaches in Australia’s history.

Currently the fifth most-capped Australia coach, Meninga has won 22 of 25 Tests in charge and is poised to surpass Frank Stanton (26), Clive Churchill (29) and Tim Sheens (31) on the all-time list of Kangaroos mentors.

While Meninga is unlikely to usurp Bob Fulton (40) as Australia’s most-capped coach, his contribution to the Kangaroos program since his departure from the Queensland Origin team in 2016 has been significant.

The 47-Test legend has led Australia to consecutive World Cup wins in 2017 and 2021 and Kangaroos players are backing Meninga to quash a Kiwi uprising following New Zealand’s five-try drubbing in Hamilton.

The ARL Commission has opted not to wield the axe, despite the Kangaroos shock record loss to the Kiwis in the Men's Pacific Championship Final in November 2023. Picture: Getty Images

“I have really enjoyed being coached by Mal,” Broncos, Queensland and Australia lock Pat Carrigan said.

“The guys respect him so much.

“He is pretty similar to Kev (Walters, Broncos coach), actually.

“I play my best footy under guys like Mal and ‘Kevvie’, they just allow you to relax and be yourself and play your game.

“They also have a presence about him and you respect what they achieved as players.

“They expect you to do your job, Mal is getting the best out of this Australian team and it would be great to see him in the role for a while.”

Speaking to News Corp on the eve of last year’s Pacific Championships decider, Meninga said he had the desire to coach on, but hinted that his next Kangaroos contract could be his last.

“I think the next Kangaroo tour is in 2027 or 2028, so that’s a fair while away. I’m not sure if I’ll still be in charge for that,” he said.

“I believe this position is by invite only, but obviously I love what I do and I want to be part of it for a while longer.

“It’s a question for the ARL Commission really (whether he signs a new deal), ultimately it’s their decision – but I really enjoy the role.

“It will certainly be great to be on deck for the next World Cup and it would be great to go overseas again and play in a three-Test series in England.

“I don’t predict I will be around in 2027, but it’s nice to know there is a long-term international program in place and the players can set some goals on the international front.

“It’s great for the international game to have more Tests. It’s not only about helping our Pacific neighbours, we have to look at promoting and propagating the game in the northern hemisphere as well.

“We have that obligation and I’ll support it in my role as Australian coach.”

ARL chairman Peter V’landys says he is confident Meninga is still the best man for the Kangaroos top job. Picture: David Swift.

Kangaroos centre Kotoni Staggs, who featured in the heavy Pacific Championships final loss, said Meninga deserved to keep his job.

“Mal is one of those coaches who has played the game and is one of the greats,” Staggs said.

“He is a relaxed guy and his focus is that when we are training, it is time to train.

“He talks about a white line. When you step over it then it is time to go. When you are away from it you chill out and have your own game.

“He puts a lot of trust in you as a player to get yourself right for a game because he is not the one who goes on the field.”

‘BLACK-AND-WHITE BENNY’: WAYNE MAKES SHOCK COACHING CALL

—Peter Badel & David Riccio

Wayne Bennett has formally applied for the New Zealand job as the Dolphins super coach ramps up plans to renew trans-Tasman Test match fireworks with Australian rival Mal Meninga.

This masthead can reveal Bennett is a frontline contender to succeed Michael Maguire as Kiwi coach after converting his preliminary interest into a formal application with the New Zealand Rugby League.

NZRL chief executive Greg Peters confirmed Bennett will be short-listed for a formal interview with a view to Maguire’s successor being formalised by the end of February.

That raises the prospect of a spicy showdown between Bennett and Meninga at the 2026 World Cup in the southern hemisphere – almost a decade after the Queensland icons famously clashed in the battle for the Australia job in 2016.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has confirmed he wants to takeover as New Zealand Kiwis coach. Picture: Getty Images

Meninga won the job over Bennett, who subsequently took charge of the England national team which lost the 2017 World Cup final 6-0 to the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium.

Now, with Meninga’s Kangaroos under pressure in the wake of their dismal 30-0 loss to New Zealand in the Pacific Championships final last November, Bennett is ready to turn up the heat as Kiwi coach.

Speaking exclusively to News Corp, Bennett confirmed he is keen to be ‘Black-and-White Benny’ and continue the title-winning legacy left by Maguire, the newly-minted NSW Origin coach.

“I’ve expressed interest in the (New Zealand) job, yes,” Bennett said.

“I’ve spoken to the NZRL and I’m waiting for them to come back to me.

Bennett is a frontrunner to replace former Kiwis coach Michael Maguire, after his move to take over the NSW Blues. Picture: Getty Images

“This doesn’t mean I’ve got the job, there will be other applicants, but the point is I have expressed interest, the NZRL know that and they have a process going on, so I’m sure they will get back to me at some stage.

“I am waiting to see where it goes. I have been in contact with a guy to make it known I’m keen on the Kiwi job and let’s see what happens.

“I love a challenge.”

The timing of the international program is perfect for Bennett.

The 74-year-old will stand down as head coach of the Dolphins at season’s end. He remains unemployed for 2025, but taking charge of the Kiwis would give Bennett job security for at least another two years leading into the 2026 World Cup.

Bennett has a strong history with the Kiwis, being a chief advisor during their shock 2008 World Cup win over Australia.

Bennett has a strong history with the Kiwis. He coached the historic New Zealand ‘All Golds’ team for their tour of England in 2007 and, 12 months later, was a chief advisor to Stephen Kearney when the Kiwis shocked Australia to win the 2008 World Cup at Suncorp Stadium.

Kiwi legends Nathan Cayless and Stacey Jones are other contenders, but the NZRL will find it difficult to ignore the claims of rugby league’s greatest coach.

NZRL boss Peters said his organisation is keen to talk to Bennett, who has a knack of pulling off miracle wins – including Queensland’s epic series defeat of the Blues in 2020 during the Covid crisis.

“We are certainly interested in talking to Wayne, as well as a number of other candidates who have put their name down through the advertised process we ran,” Peters said.

“We have to finalise that in the next few weeks we hope.

“I haven’t spoken to Wayne personally, yet. We’re in the application process and we’re going through an interview panel stage shortly.

“But we certainly know Wayne’s interest in the organisation so we’re looking forward to talking to him.

Bennett pictured with Kiwis great Benji Marshall in 2008.

“We think the New Zealand job is a prestigious gig in football and with the success we’ve had in recent times, we need to build on that, so it’s critical for us to get the right person to take us to the next level and ultimately a World Cup in 2026.

“We’ll look at a number of candidates before we make a final decision.

“I would like to conclude it by the end of February. We have the luxury of time because we don’t play until October. We are conscious of getting our coach in place before we get too deep into the NRL season.”

Bennett has strong ties to several Kiwi players, including Dolphins brothers Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and flying winger Jamayne Isaako.

“I have great affection for the Kiwis, I coach several of their guys at the Dolphins,” Bennett said.

“I genuinely care about international football. I’ve helped the Kiwis before, I’ve coached England and Australia and I’ve done it all because I care about international football and making a contribution to it.

“Nothing has changed for me.

“It’s possible to do the Dolphins and Kiwi jobs because of the time frames, but it all depends on whether the NZRL want me, we’ll wait and see.”