Mal Meninga has reportedly earmarked an early front-runner to hitch his teaching employees on the Perth Bears.
The 64-year-old was officially unveiled as the club’s inaugural coach last week and can step down from his function as Kangaroos boss.
Meninga hasn’t coached full-time at first grade stage in effectively over twenty years and has acknowledged his want for ample help for the 2027 season and past.
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Matt King, Brad Arthur and Sam Burgess had been all approached by the NRL to probably work alongside Meninga, however all three turned down the chance.
Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga Getty
As a substitute, based on 9’s Michael Chammas, present Panthers assistant and Samoa worldwide coach Ben Gardiner has been sounded out to hitch Meninga.
“There’s conversations ongoing with Ben Gardiner – he is gained a few premierships underneath Ivan Cleary and he is within the field seat to go over and work with Mal Meninga,” Chammas mentioned on 100% Footy on Monday evening.
“Ben Gardiner is a type of choices and the Samoa hyperlink is one thing that will probably be necessary going ahead. There’s speak that Payne Haas goes to be taking part in for Samoa and he is had conversations with Ben Gardiner.
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“I might think about as a recruitment instrument, if you happen to’ve received somebody who’s coach on the Panthers and training at Samoa, it’s going to assist Mal Meninga.
“He is extremely regarded for what he is aware of off the sphere as effectively.”
Gardiner – who juggled teaching with college instructing at Marcellin School Randwick for a few years – has been across the recreation for a very long time and has labored at various golf equipment together with the Rabbitohs and Tigers earlier than transferring to Penrith.
Samoa coach Ben Gardiner throughout final yr’s tour of England. Â Getty
He additionally frolicked working with the New Zealand Kiwis on the teaching employees, before landing the head coaching role with Samoa two years ago.
“He is completed an extended apprenticeship,” Phil Gould mentioned.
“I believe we introduced him down as a participant … he got here right down to the Roosters as a participant and did not actually make it, I believe he might need had some accidents.
“He is most likely been within the recreation for 22 or 23 years round a few of the greatest coaches and greatest programs. He is aware of his stuff, he is very extremely regarded.”
