Mal Meninga

Meninga takes on the role after previous World All Stars coach Wayne Bennett expressed his desire earlier this year to step down from the coaching position to concentrate on his Brisbane Broncos and Rugby League World Cup commitments in 2017.

Meninga, who led the Kangaroos in securing the world number one Rugby League ranking again after winning the Four Nations tournament last month, said he was looking forward to the opportunity to coach some of the best players in the world.

Australia Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga explains why he quit Papua New Guinea post

http://www.looppng.com/content/australia-kangaroos-coach-mal-meninga-explains-why-he-quit-papua-new-guinea-post

Mal Meninga has broken his silence on allegations he callously walked out on Papua New Guinea mid-contract to take the Australian coaching job, saying "I just didn't get paid".

The fact Meninga beat Wayne Bennett to the green-and-gold post – something that has been dredged up since the start of the current Four Nations - wasn't the only controversial aspect of the appointment.

At the time he was offered the post, the former Australia captain already had a Test coaching job – in a country where he is considered a demigod.

PNGRL chief executive Bob Cutmore said in December, "it is a bit disappointing to me that we haven't been officially informed that he was going to take the position, when he has a current contract from us."

The Panthers captain walked away from the 54-12 win with an impressive four try-assists and a set of sore ribs after this hit in the first half.

With Darius Boyd waiting in the wings and Greg Inglis not playing this match, Moylan’s performance created some headaches for coach Mal Meninga.

In addition to there being one referee and no seventh tackle restart rule, there is also no sin-bin ruling for punching unlike the NRL where 10 minutes on the sidelines are obligatory when the fists start to fly.

Meninga made it clear when he named his Four Nations squad that players of good characters are a necessity.

According to News Corp, Meninga is set to name Matt Moylan, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Friend, Justin O’Neill and James Maloney to make their international debuts against Scotland next weekend. 

The Aussie coach is keen to give his entire 24-man squad a run before the pointy end of the tournament, given the Kangaroos’ one-off Test against the Kiwis last weekend. 

Aaron Woods and Josh Mansour are also expected to take their places in the side following their respective weddings last weekend. 

Thurston was collared early in a high tackle by Kiwis enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in Australia's 26-6 in Perth on Saturday.

The Australian five-eighth was smashed soon after in a borderline tackle by Martin Taupau.

With both Josh Mansour and Aaron Woods unavailable due to their weddings for Saturday's 26-6 win over New Zealand in Perth, Boyd and Holmes were given their first taste of international football at nib Stadium and didn't disappoint.

Speaking at the press conference announcing the squad, Meninga said the Tigers fullback was unlucky to miss out, but was sitting behind Darius Boyd in the pecking order.

Meninga said Bird was close to getting selected, but Michael Morgan and Moylan were both seen as more versatile.

Tedesco and Bird are two high-profile players who were left out of the end of year tour squad. Veteran forwards Paul Gallen and Corey Parker were left out of the side, as was in-form Sharks prop Andrew Fifita.

Who is the unluckiest player to miss out? 

Boyd and Leilua join Cowboys co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott, as well as Michael Morgan and Justin O'Neill, in the train-on squad.

Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga said he was pleased with the potential for the Four Nations squad based on the Prime Minister's XIII's 58-0 victory over the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister's XIII in Port Moresby last Saturday.

"The squad is taking shape very well," Meninga said.

"I was really pleased with the performance of a number of players in Port Moresby and it enhanced my thoughts on a number of players.