Meninga confirmed as Kangaroos coach

The ARL Commission has appointed Mal Meninga as coach of the Australian national team.

The former Test centre has inked a deal which will take him through to the end of 2019.

“Mal’s reputation as a player and as a coach, and also as a figure in our game, is second-to-none,” NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said.

“This is an incredibly exciting appointment for the Kangaroos.

“We feel that Mal’s appointment will ensure that playing for the Kangaroos is the pinnacle of a player’s career, which is the way it should be.

“The progression of Mal from one of the most successful Queensland coaches ever to the Australian coaching position is an appropriate one for the game.

“Playing for the Kangaroos should be the greatest honour a player can have and Mal will no doubt bring that mentality to the squad.

“Mal’s work with us starts today – so it is a very important day for the Kangaroos.

“Our aim is to win the Rugby League World Cup in 2017 and the job officially begins now.”

For Meninga, the appointment is the culmination of a long-held ambition.

“For the players, it is the ultimate privilege to the wear the colours of your country, and it is something that they all aspire to,” Meninga said.

“For me, it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do. It is truly an honour to be in this position, as the new coach of the Kangaroos.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to improve the Kangaroos program, developing emerging and high-performance players including the Junior Kangaroos and Australian Schoolboys along the way.”