Newly appointed Perth Bears assistant coach Ben Gardiner will replace Mal Meninga in the top job at the NRL’s newest franchise from 2029.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed Gardiner, who this week inked a five-year deal with the expansion club, will spend two seasons under head coach Meninga when the Bears enter the competition in 2027 before taking the reins himself.
The succession plan mirrors that at the game’s last new franchise, the Dolphins, who appointed Wayne Bennett as their inaugural head coach before handing the job over to Kristian Woolf.
After a sluggish start, Woolf has steered the Dolphins into the top eight, and is chasing a fourth straight win when they meet the Knights in Perth on Saturday evening.
Meninga is signed until the end of 2028, but the NRL made no mention of Gardiner, currently an assistant at premiers Penrith, moving into the top job in their official press release.
However, Samoa – whose Test side Gardiner also coaches – said in their own release the 45-year-old’s Bears’ appointment “forms part of a long-term succession plan”.
Ben Gardiner will succeed Mal Meninga as Perth Bears in 2029.Credit: Ed Sykes/Getty Images
Meninga will help lure talent to the Bears from across the country in his first two years in the job, while Gardiner has extensive experience at NRL and international level – including a stint coaching the North Sydney Bears’ NSW Cup team – and working in pathways and development.
Gardiner said he was simply grateful the NRL had thrown their support behind him joining the competition’s newest franchise. He was also reluctant to discuss his new role while still trying to win another premiership with the Panthers.
Part of Gardiner’s contract allows him to continue as Samoa’s coach for the end-of-season Tests against New Zealand and Tonga, as well as next year’s World Cup.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is be the best version of myself, and help players be the best players they can be, and the best people they can be,” Gardiner said.
Mal Meninga will be the Bears’ inaugural head coach.Credit: Matt King/Getty Images
“If I can do that at the top level, it would be a great privilege. But head coaching is a long way down the track. I’m only worried about helping build the culture and infrastructure of a new club from day one.
“There’s great appeal in trying to help build a club from the ground up, and I will get to use all my skills across all levels of rugby league to give back to the game.
“I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business at Norths after leaving there the first time. And I get to work and learn under Mal.”
Meninga had to give up his coaching role with Australia, but admitted he would tap into his Kangaroos’ contact book when it came to recruiting players to Western Australia.
Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is one player who has already been linked to the Bears, and could yet pledge his allegiance to Gardiner’s Samoa at the end of this year.
Gardiner has worked at several NRL clubs, including Cronulla and South Sydney, was recently linked to coaching St Helens in the Super League, and is chasing a third title with Penrith under good friend Ivan Cleary.
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