Historic day as rugby league icon returns after 25 years to coach Perth Bears

The NRL has made a massive announcement about the future of “Immortal” Mal Meninga after months of rumours.

Rugby league icon Mal Meninga has been unveiled as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears.

The NRL Immortal has spoken publicly for the first time about his ambitions for the new team as he faced reporters at a media event in Sydney on Friday morning.

It has been 25 years since the Canberra Raiders legend last coached an ARL/NRL team, however, he has been a popular coach of the Kangaroos in recent years and was famously at the helm of Queensland’s State of Origin dynasty of dominance before his departure in 2015.

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Meninga’s move to the Bears means he is losing his position as coach of the Kangaroos.

With the role of coaching the Australian representative team now available, former NSW coach Brad Fittler is expected to be given the job.

The Bears were officially handed the NRL’s 18th license last month after the WA government formally signed off on the $65.6 million deal.

The new club has the full support and involvement of foundation club the North Sydney Bears.

Mal Meninga in the green and gold. AAP Image/Chris Pavlich.

The Bears will enter the competition in 2027, giving Meninga just 18 months to assemble a squad capable of competing in the NRL.

The cashed up club is ready to pounce on NRL free agents with Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and Sharks playmaker Nicho Hynes already linked with the club.

A big part of Meninga’s job in the next 12 months will be a public relations battle to win support from the divided Western Australia sporting community.

Meninga said on Friday: “This is bigger than me. It’s about the growth of the game in WA. I want to leave it in a good place”.

He also said: “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.

“I am looking forward to working with Anthony and the rest of the rugby league community not only in WA but for the North Sydney Bears as well.

“I think that is a really important connection and bring them along on the journey as well, so I’m very humbled to be given this opportunity.”

Mal Meninga faced reporters with ARLC chief executive Andrew Abdo.

Meninga said his new contract with the Bears extends for the next three years.

It means he is losing his position as national coach.

He is giving up his position as Australian coach immediately and will not be involved in the upcoming Ashes tour at the end of the 2025 NRL season.

“The Kangaroos job is a full-time job,” Meninga said.

“It is not just coaching the team at the end of the year. It comes with other responsibilities and commitments, so no I won’t be the Australian coach.

“But from a transition point of view I know that I will be part of all that.

“I loved the opportunity to coach the Australian team and help build the international program, but I feel where I sit in my career at the moment, this is a really important gig.

“This is a treasured moment in my footy career to be able to be part of the Perth Bears.”

Perth Bears chief executive Anthony De Ceglie. Picture: Jonathan Ng.

Meninga won the job with rumours swirling in recent months about interviews the Australian Rugby League Commission held with several high profile candidates, including Sam Burgess, Brad Arthur and Kevin Walters.

NRL supremo Peter V’landys said in a statement Meninga was the “obvious choice”

“There are very few who have graced our game who can match Mal Meninga’s record of success, and we are delighted to announce that Mal will be the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears for their entry into the NRL in 2027,” V’landys said.

“Mal is the ideal man to lead the game to a new frontier in Western Australia. The esteem in which he is held in the sport, his experience and the success he has had at every level of the game as a player and coach will ensure the Perth Bears have exceptionally strong leadership to build their organisation.

Mal Meninga was unstoppable on the field with the Green Machine.

“On behalf of the Commission, I congratulate Mal on his appointment and thank him for his wonderful contribution as Kangaroos Coach. Mal leaves the Kangaroos program in tremendous shape and now takes on a vital role for the progression of the sport domestically.”

The NRL in a statement trumpeted the success Meninga has enjoyed in his career having coached the Canberra Raiders (1997-2001) and Queensland (2006-2015), while previously playing 46 Test and World Cup matches for the Kangaroos, 32 State of Origin matches for Queensland and captaining the Raiders to three Premierships.

Meninga also worked with the Gold Coast Titans in a part-time position in recent years, but walked away from the club when former coach Just Holbrook was sacked. Meninga reportedly did not agree with the club’s decision to axe Holbrook before veteran coach Des Hasler was appointed.

Mal Meninga coaching career timeline

Canberra Raiders (1997–2001): Meninga served as head coach for five seasons where the team had 66 wins from 125 games.

Queensland Maroons (2006–2015): Meninga coached the Maroons in 10 Origin series where the state won nine series and lost the Origin Shield just once.

Kangaroos (2016–2025): Meninga coached Australia in 30 Test matches with a record of 25 wins, four losses and one draw. Australia also won the World Cup in 2017 and 2021 under Meninga.

Originally published as Historic day as rugby league icon returns after 25 years to coach Perth Bears