NRL news: Australia Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga to extend contract despite record loss to New Zealand
Despite pressure for Mal Meninga to be sacked in the wake of the Kangaroos’ Pacific Championships debacle against the Kiwis, the NRL Immortal is set to stay on as Australia coach.
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Mal Meninga will not be sacked as Australia coach in the wake of the Kangaroos’ Pacific Championships debacle against the Kiwis.
This masthead understands Meninga is safe, with the NRL Immortal to have his contract extended by the ARL Commission amid pressure for the Kangaroos coach to be axed after Australia’s heavy 30-0 loss to New Zealand in the final last Saturday.
Meninga’s national contract expires at the end of November and the ARL Commission will convene next month to review the 63-year-old’s performance as Australia coach.
It is understood Meninga will be reappointed for another term, with the major point of discussion to be the length of his new deal.
The ARL Commission could opt to rubberstamp a 12-month extension, but another option is for Meninga to be given a two-or-three year deal with a view to the 2025 Ashes and World Cup in 2026.
Australia’s 30-point drubbing was one of the darkest days in their proud 115-year history as several Kangaroos players bumbled their way through a horror afternoon in Hamilton.
But Meninga has the support of ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys, who believes the 47-Test legend is the perfect candidate for the Australian job.
Meninga was appointed in 2016 after leading the Queensland team to nine Origin series wins in 10 years and indicated his next Kangaroos contract could be his last before retirement.
“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,” Meninga said before last week’s loss to the Kiwis.
“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.
“I am off-contract at the end of November this year. That’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, much like Tonga are doing at the moment.
“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.”
Meninga is now among Australia’s top five longest-serving coaches, having won 22 and lost just three of his 25 Tests in charge of Kangaroos.
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