Meninga succession plan: Perth Bears assistant to take over as head coach in 2029

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'.
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.

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