LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
Mal Meninga, a rugby league legend, has been appointed as the inaugural head coach of the new NRL expansion club, Perth Bears.
The 64-year-old has signed a three-year contract that will see him in charge until 2030, at which point he will be 69.
Meninga previously served as the head coach of the Australian national team for eight years, leading them to World Cup victories in 2017 and 2022.
His new role means he will not coach the Kangaroos during this Autumn's Ashes series in England.
Brad Arthur of the Leeds Rhinos and Sam Burgess of the Warrington Wolves were also considered for the head coach position.
As Meninga transitions to coaching a club for the first time since 2001, it remains unclear who will take over his role with the Kangaroos.
Meninga's credentials are outstanding; he is one of the most decorated figures in rugby league history.
He has previously coached the Canberra Raiders from 1997 to 2001 and the Queensland State of Origin team from 2006 to 2015.
As a player, he earned 46 test and World Cup caps for Australia and played 32 State of Origin matches for Queensland, captaining the Raiders to three national championships.