Overview

• The Australian Rugby League Commission officially unveiled Meninga as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears, the NRL’s 18th franchise, on June 6, 2025.
• His three-year contract extends through the 2030 season and requires him to relinquish his Kangaroos coaching duties following the Ashes tour in England this November.
• Meninga plans to draw on his national team contacts to recruit seasoned internationals and will prioritise identifying and nurturing Indigenous talent in Western Australia.
• NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo emphasised the ARL Commission’s long-held policy that the Kangaroos coach must not hold club coaching roles to safeguard impartiality.
• Brad Fittler has emerged as the frontrunner for the Kangaroos job, with Cameron Smith also considered a strong candidate to succeed Meninga.