Mal Meninga addresses whether he’d be interested in coaching the NRL’s new PNG team

Rugby League Immortal Mal Meninga has no intentions of stepping down from his role with the Kangaroos to coach Papua New Guinea when they join the NRL in 2028 but is more than happy to help out with a team that he thinks will succeed.

The PNG side was confirmed on Thursday morning but without a name, players or coach and needing someone who can oversee the biggest gamble in the sport’s history.

Meninga has spent plenty of years in PNG coaching in the annual Prime Minister’s XIII clash, and he wouldn’t rule out one day coaching the NRL team if asked.

“I love the game. I don’t know about coaching, but I love what I’m doing now in the international space and I’m really committed to that,” he said.

“You never say no to anything, but if I can help the game out in some way, then I’m always willing to do that.”

The Kangaroos coach has seen the impact rugby league is having in a country that lives and breathes the sport, and it’s why he’s adamant it will be a success if they get the next few years right.

“I don’t think it’s an experiment,” he said at the Golden Boot award ceremony at Rugby League Central.

“The game has made a really thoughtful decision around our game’s future and the impact Papua New Guinea can have in the NRL.

“It’s already pretty impactful. We understand how passionate they are and how much they love our game.

“They’ve been working behind the scenes the past couple of years around getting the development systems right and educating the players up there about the game.

“I think it’s a very thoughtful decision, and leaving it until 2028 will give them plenty of time and space to develop the game.”

The biggest issue will be trying to convince established NRL players to leave Australia to live in one of the most dangerous countries in the world, but Meninga says there’s more than enough local talent to make the team competitive in 2028.

“There are challenges over there to go and play, so that four-year period to get things right will help,” he said, with plans to build a village for players and staff in Port Moresby.

“There is relevant thought that they can build off their own (players). There are enough quality players up there that they can put time in to develop them.

“In four years’ time, I think the majority of that team will all be Papua New Guinean.”