Immortal Mal Meninga has been announced as the Perth Bears inaugural coach for their return to the NRL as the 18th expansion team in 2027.
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Meninga beat out Kevvie Walters and Brad Arthur to the position, but will need to relinquish his Australia Kangaroos post to take up the Bears post.
The Immortal has done it all in rugby league having scored 74 tries in 166 games for the Raiders, including three premierships with Canberra as a player.
He also scored six tries in 32 games for the Maroons and 22 tries in 47 Tests for the Kangaroos.
The 64-year-old has coached the Kangaroos to 25 wins from 28 games since he was appointed in 2016, winning two World Cups in the process and was unbeaten in 12 matches at World Cups.
Meninga was at the helm of the Maroons during their eight straight series wins and coached Queensland to 20 wins from 30 games from 2006 to 2015.
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Meninga has not coached at NRL level since 2001 after leading the Raiders to 66 wins from 125 games from 1997 to 2001.
On ornament to the game, Meninga was appointed to the Bears, as much for his coaching ability as for his standing in the game and ability to attract interest in the sport in Western Australia.
MORE TO COME . . .
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