Titans duo Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita emerge as targets for Mal Meninga’s Perth Bears

Mal Meninga could look to raid his former club for two of its star players after being handed an open chequebook to launch the Perth Bears.

Mal Meninga’s cashed-up Perth Bears have been urged to launch a multimillion-dollar poaching raid on dynamic Gold Coast Titans duo Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita.

Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita have emerged as prime recruitment targets for the NRL’s expansion club as it prepares for its 2027 launch.

Meninga was officially unveiled as Perth’s foundation coach on Friday – and his appointment could spell trouble for the Titans.

The Immortal spent five years at the Titans in various culture and high performance consultancy roles before the sacking of Justin Holbrook triggered his exit at the end of 2023.

Meninga’s first big signing at the Titans was Fa’asuamaleaui, who he convinced to quit NRL heavyweights Melbourne after the Storm’s 2020 premiership season. Meninga also played a key role in poaching Fifita from the Broncos that year.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita are prime targets for the Bears. Picture: NRL Images

He maintains a strong relationship with Gold Coast recruitment chief Ezra Howe, who has been linked to the Perth club and is close to Fa’asuamaleaui after delivering the Titans skipper a $12 million, 10-year contract laced with get-out clauses.

If Howe joins Meninga at the Bears, the Titans could face pressure to retain their star forwards, who are both able to leave the Gold Coast at the end of 2026.

“We’re going through it already,” Meninga said.

“I just want to get a feel for the connection with the Bears and the connection with the community over there. I think it’s really important for the stability of the club.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the future of the club. That’s why I talk about a legacy piece - make sure that the foundations are right.

Mal Meninga has been announced as the Perth Bears head coach. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m a believer in you got to get the right people. We talk about how important a spine is, but I think it’s important you get the right person.

“That’s more important than anything because they’ll become the face of the club eventually. They are the ones that have got to be passionate about the game.

“Your high-profile guys are really important to you regardless of where they play.”

Meninga will also sound out the likes of experienced general manager of football from other clubs including Frank Ponissi and Phil Gould to help with building a side.

“I’ll go talk to them,” Meninga said.

“Not about coming over. Frank was part of the Melbourne set up and Gus at a couple of clubs. I know Frank really well. He’s a great man who will give me some really sage advice.”

In the meantime, he has been forced to give up his Kangaroos job to focus on Perth after beating out the likes of Brad Arthur, Sam Burgess and Kevin Walters for the Bears position.

“This is bigger than me,” Meninga said.

“This new pioneering venture over to WA. The opportunity to be involved in the growth of the game over there. The opportunity to grow a club the Perth Bears over there is too good to refuse.

“I feel very honoured, very nervous, I think it is a huge responsibility. But I believe I am up for it.”

De Ceglie said Meninga’s leadership and experience would give the organisation a strong platform to build its culture and identity.

“We’re extremely honoured that Mal has signed on to become the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears,” De Ceglie said.

“Mal is not just an Immortal of the NRL but an immortal of the Australian sporting landscape.”

The Titans are currently last on the NRL ladder, wooden spoon favourites and facing a fourth straight bottom four finish.

Bears legend Billy Moore said Maroons Origin enforcer Fa’asuamaleaui would be the ultimate signing to build the Perth club around.

“Three players I would sign for the Bears would be Jahrome Hughes, Payne Haas and big Tino,” he said.

“Tino is the player you can build your franchise around.

“He is the Queensland version of Glenn Lazarus and he is captaincy material for a new franchise.

“To get Jahrome and Tino away from their current clubs, the reality is the Bears will have to look at paying $1.5 million-a-season, but both of them are worth every cent.”

Mal Meninga and Ezra Howe signed Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita at the Titans. Picture: NRL Photos

Fifita has been linked with an exit from the Titans after falling out-of-favour with coach Des Hasler, who dumped the $1 million-a-season star to reserve grade last month.

He underwent ankle surgery recently and will not play in Saturday’s derby against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Fa’asuamaleaui is fiercely loyal, however his 10-year contract was structured with options that allow him to walk out on the Titans if he pleases.

He is expected to be on Perth’s hit-list when he becomes a free agent on November 1 and the club is allowed to start waving big cheques at potential targets.

Fa’asuamaleaui’s manager Simon Mammino insists he remains committed to delivering the Titans’ maiden premiership, but said the 25-year-old is open to future offers as Gold Coast fights to avoid the wooden spoon.

“Tino is happy and committed to the Titans but we do have a clause in place to consider all options,“ he said.

“At the time he entered into the contract, there was no indication of when expansion teams would enter the NRL.

“The clause was more about reviewing where he was at after three more years at the Titans.

“At this point his sole focus is with the Titans and turning their season around. We will sit down at season’s end to discuss his future.

“I would be surprised if he decided to leave the Titans even if he considered signing with a new franchise.”

Originally published as Titans duo Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita emerge as targets for Mal Meninga’s Perth Bears