‘A great privilege’: Mal Meninga locked in as Perth Bears’ inaugural NRL coach

The Perth Bears are making a bold move with the appointment of Mal Meninga as their head coach, marking a significant return for the former rugby league legend after 25 years away from coaching. Meninga, who previously coached at clubs like the Kangaroos and Queensland, has now accepted a role in his first club-level position since 2001, taking over on a three-year contract following his retirement as Australia's Test team coach ahead of the Ashes tour. At a press conference, Meninga expressed his enthusiasm for leading the Bears into their debut NRL season in 2027, emphasizing the opportunity to bring back a cherished rugby league heritage and community to Western Australia.