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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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Hammer time as Dolphins soar back into NRL top eight
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has delivered a fullback masterclass with a four-try haul in the Dolphins' 50-28 defeat of South Sydney. The No.1 ran amok in his 100th NRL game as the Dolphins reached 50 points for the third time in four games and consigned the Rabbitohs to a fifth straight loss. Halfback Isaiya Katoa had four try assists, while Tabuai-Fidow's display was timely on the day incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of next Wednesday's State of Origin decider with a foot injury. Tabuai-Fidow played wing in the Maroons' series-levelling victory but, after 11 tries in nine Origin games on the flanks, has done all he can to show coach Billy Slater he's ready to wear the No.1. "I know he'd do a great job," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said of his man potentially wearing the Queensland No.1. "But that wouldn''t have been his motivation tonight; he's just such a genuine guy I think he wasn't really happy with himself last week (in a loss to Newcastle). "I could tell he wanted to make amends for that. Playing 100 games, coming off a loss, playing in front of his family - that's what he'd be concerned about." Victory pushed the Dolphins (8-8) into the top eight but came at a cost, with Kodi Nikorima limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. Cody Walker (hamstring) also failed to finish in his injury comeback, the playmaker's latest soft tissue complaint adding salt to the Rabbitohs' wounds. The Rabbitohs started brilliantly when Latrell Mitchell sliced through and somehow offloaded for Jack Wighton's try. It was all the Dolphins after that, Jeremy Marshall-King raiding from dummy-half to score, then Katoa exploding through the line and producing a no-look assist for Tabuai-Fidow. The pair combined again in similar fashion, with only a desperate Jamie Humphries tripping up the Dolphins fullback as he pinned his ears back for the line. Herbie Farnworth had more joy, though, finding open space before Katoa floated a pass perfectly for Nikorima to score. Katoa tantalised again with a pinpoint pass that dragged the Rabbitohs' defensive line out of shape, Farnworth's quick offload setting up Jake Averillo. Nikorima limped off but the Dolphins weren't done, Averillo trickling a kick back in-field that was scooped up by Tabuai-Fidow to create a 30-6 halftime lead. The No.1 completed his hat-trick when he picked up another loose ball spilled in a marking contest to seemingly kill the contest with 30 minutes still on the clock. But Walker stepped through to create a try for Tallis Duncan and stop the rot, and the visitors had their tails up when that pair combined again to give the back-rower a double before Walker felt for his leg. Tabuai-Fidow settled it once and for all, stripping Davvy Moale on his own 30-metre line, darting sideways into space, then cruising uninterrupted for a fourth try. Wighton and Moale still had time for four-pointers, while rookie Aublix Tawha was reported and earnt the ire of Mitchell after tackling him before he'd caught a high ball. The Dolphins had the final say, Kurt Donoghoe snatching a Humphries intercept as the Dolphins raised the bat again. "We just lost control of it, totally," Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said. "This season, the challenges have been on our doorstep everyday. "I'm not frustrated by it, not angry by it. "Just accept the reality of it and right now trying to build a team that believes in itself and we're not there yet." Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has delivered a fullback masterclass with a four-try haul in the Dolphins' 50-28 defeat of South Sydney. The No.1 ran amok in his 100th NRL game as the Dolphins reached 50 points for the third time in four games and consigned the Rabbitohs to a fifth straight loss. Halfback Isaiya Katoa had four try assists, while Tabuai-Fidow's display was timely on the day incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of next Wednesday's State of Origin decider with a foot injury. Tabuai-Fidow played wing in the Maroons' series-levelling victory but, after 11 tries in nine Origin games on the flanks, has done all he can to show coach Billy Slater he's ready to wear the No.1. "I know he'd do a great job," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said of his man potentially wearing the Queensland No.1. "But that wouldn''t have been his motivation tonight; he's just such a genuine guy I think he wasn't really happy with himself last week (in a loss to Newcastle). "I could tell he wanted to make amends for that. Playing 100 games, coming off a loss, playing in front of his family - that's what he'd be concerned about." Victory pushed the Dolphins (8-8) into the top eight but came at a cost, with Kodi Nikorima limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. Cody Walker (hamstring) also failed to finish in his injury comeback, the playmaker's latest soft tissue complaint adding salt to the Rabbitohs' wounds. The Rabbitohs started brilliantly when Latrell Mitchell sliced through and somehow offloaded for Jack Wighton's try. It was all the Dolphins after that, Jeremy Marshall-King raiding from dummy-half to score, then Katoa exploding through the line and producing a no-look assist for Tabuai-Fidow. The pair combined again in similar fashion, with only a desperate Jamie Humphries tripping up the Dolphins fullback as he pinned his ears back for the line. Herbie Farnworth had more joy, though, finding open space before Katoa floated a pass perfectly for Nikorima to score. Katoa tantalised again with a pinpoint pass that dragged the Rabbitohs' defensive line out of shape, Farnworth's quick offload setting up Jake Averillo. Nikorima limped off but the Dolphins weren't done, Averillo trickling a kick back in-field that was scooped up by Tabuai-Fidow to create a 30-6 halftime lead. The No.1 completed his hat-trick when he picked up another loose ball spilled in a marking contest to seemingly kill the contest with 30 minutes still on the clock. But Walker stepped through to create a try for Tallis Duncan and stop the rot, and the visitors had their tails up when that pair combined again to give the back-rower a double before Walker felt for his leg. Tabuai-Fidow settled it once and for all, stripping Davvy Moale on his own 30-metre line, darting sideways into space, then cruising uninterrupted for a fourth try. Wighton and Moale still had time for four-pointers, while rookie Aublix Tawha was reported and earnt the ire of Mitchell after tackling him before he'd caught a high ball. The Dolphins had the final say, Kurt Donoghoe snatching a Humphries intercept as the Dolphins raised the bat again. "We just lost control of it, totally," Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said. "This season, the challenges have been on our doorstep everyday. "I'm not frustrated by it, not angry by it. "Just accept the reality of it and right now trying to build a team that believes in itself and we're not there yet." Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has delivered a fullback masterclass with a four-try haul in the Dolphins' 50-28 defeat of South Sydney. The No.1 ran amok in his 100th NRL game as the Dolphins reached 50 points for the third time in four games and consigned the Rabbitohs to a fifth straight loss. Halfback Isaiya Katoa had four try assists, while Tabuai-Fidow's display was timely on the day incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of next Wednesday's State of Origin decider with a foot injury. Tabuai-Fidow played wing in the Maroons' series-levelling victory but, after 11 tries in nine Origin games on the flanks, has done all he can to show coach Billy Slater he's ready to wear the No.1. "I know he'd do a great job," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said of his man potentially wearing the Queensland No.1. "But that wouldn''t have been his motivation tonight; he's just such a genuine guy I think he wasn't really happy with himself last week (in a loss to Newcastle). "I could tell he wanted to make amends for that. Playing 100 games, coming off a loss, playing in front of his family - that's what he'd be concerned about." Victory pushed the Dolphins (8-8) into the top eight but came at a cost, with Kodi Nikorima limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. Cody Walker (hamstring) also failed to finish in his injury comeback, the playmaker's latest soft tissue complaint adding salt to the Rabbitohs' wounds. The Rabbitohs started brilliantly when Latrell Mitchell sliced through and somehow offloaded for Jack Wighton's try. It was all the Dolphins after that, Jeremy Marshall-King raiding from dummy-half to score, then Katoa exploding through the line and producing a no-look assist for Tabuai-Fidow. The pair combined again in similar fashion, with only a desperate Jamie Humphries tripping up the Dolphins fullback as he pinned his ears back for the line. Herbie Farnworth had more joy, though, finding open space before Katoa floated a pass perfectly for Nikorima to score. Katoa tantalised again with a pinpoint pass that dragged the Rabbitohs' defensive line out of shape, Farnworth's quick offload setting up Jake Averillo. Nikorima limped off but the Dolphins weren't done, Averillo trickling a kick back in-field that was scooped up by Tabuai-Fidow to create a 30-6 halftime lead. The No.1 completed his hat-trick when he picked up another loose ball spilled in a marking contest to seemingly kill the contest with 30 minutes still on the clock. But Walker stepped through to create a try for Tallis Duncan and stop the rot, and the visitors had their tails up when that pair combined again to give the back-rower a double before Walker felt for his leg. Tabuai-Fidow settled it once and for all, stripping Davvy Moale on his own 30-metre line, darting sideways into space, then cruising uninterrupted for a fourth try. Wighton and Moale still had time for four-pointers, while rookie Aublix Tawha was reported and earnt the ire of Mitchell after tackling him before he'd caught a high ball. The Dolphins had the final say, Kurt Donoghoe snatching a Humphries intercept as the Dolphins raised the bat again. "We just lost control of it, totally," Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said. "This season, the challenges have been on our doorstep everyday. "I'm not frustrated by it, not angry by it. "Just accept the reality of it and right now trying to build a team that believes in itself and we're not there yet."
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
No white flag as wounded Warriors wait on scans
NRL Swiss army knife Te Maire Martin has helped to quell the despair after a pair of potentially serious injuries and some questionable calls in the New Zealand Warriors' Brisbane loss. The Warriors' (10-5) second-straight defeat, 26-12 on Saturday, came as Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad both limped off with knee injuries. They'll have scans on their return to Auckland and coach Andrew Webster conceded the star halfback and fullback could be out for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad's legs were pinned awkwardly as Gehamat Shibasaki scored the first of his two tries while Metcalf was hammered as he passed the ball by Brendan Piakura, who was later placed on report. "We're going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out," Webster said. "But certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that much ... all possibilities on the table at the moment." Webster didn't bite when asked if he thought Metcalf was tackled illegally, but was more willing to comment on a pair of decisions that went against his men either side of halftime. Wayde Egan was called for off-side in the first half before Broncos star Reece Walsh earnt a penalty when he was obstructed while chasing a kick, despite being clearly offside. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside, like miles offside," Webster said of Walsh. "Wayde Egan in the first half, I ask you to go and pause it when the play-the-ball is and you tell me how he's offside. "He's three metres onside. So it's like they just made that up. "They (the NRL) probably will give me crap that it's foul play or something. That's the first infringement. I don't know how they miss it. "I'm not a touch, I'm not a ref. I was down there and I could see it." The prospect of charging on without his influential pair hasn't dented Webster's hopes though, given the talent underneath them. "Going into Round 1, we've got four elite halfbacks," Webster said. "We have Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Chanel (Tavita-Harris), Luke Metcalf. So we've got a lot to choose from there. "But if Charnze is out, we've got Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck." Bench utility Martin impressed at hooker, fullback and halfback on Saturday night as the injuries mounted. "I don't think many clubs have a bloke who can do that," Webster said. "We've got lots of options. "That's why we've got heaps of faith." NRL Swiss army knife Te Maire Martin has helped to quell the despair after a pair of potentially serious injuries and some questionable calls in the New Zealand Warriors' Brisbane loss. The Warriors' (10-5) second-straight defeat, 26-12 on Saturday, came as Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad both limped off with knee injuries. They'll have scans on their return to Auckland and coach Andrew Webster conceded the star halfback and fullback could be out for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad's legs were pinned awkwardly as Gehamat Shibasaki scored the first of his two tries while Metcalf was hammered as he passed the ball by Brendan Piakura, who was later placed on report. "We're going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out," Webster said. "But certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that much ... all possibilities on the table at the moment." Webster didn't bite when asked if he thought Metcalf was tackled illegally, but was more willing to comment on a pair of decisions that went against his men either side of halftime. Wayde Egan was called for off-side in the first half before Broncos star Reece Walsh earnt a penalty when he was obstructed while chasing a kick, despite being clearly offside. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside, like miles offside," Webster said of Walsh. "Wayde Egan in the first half, I ask you to go and pause it when the play-the-ball is and you tell me how he's offside. "He's three metres onside. So it's like they just made that up. "They (the NRL) probably will give me crap that it's foul play or something. That's the first infringement. I don't know how they miss it. "I'm not a touch, I'm not a ref. I was down there and I could see it." The prospect of charging on without his influential pair hasn't dented Webster's hopes though, given the talent underneath them. "Going into Round 1, we've got four elite halfbacks," Webster said. "We have Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Chanel (Tavita-Harris), Luke Metcalf. So we've got a lot to choose from there. "But if Charnze is out, we've got Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck." Bench utility Martin impressed at hooker, fullback and halfback on Saturday night as the injuries mounted. "I don't think many clubs have a bloke who can do that," Webster said. "We've got lots of options. "That's why we've got heaps of faith." NRL Swiss army knife Te Maire Martin has helped to quell the despair after a pair of potentially serious injuries and some questionable calls in the New Zealand Warriors' Brisbane loss. The Warriors' (10-5) second-straight defeat, 26-12 on Saturday, came as Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad both limped off with knee injuries. They'll have scans on their return to Auckland and coach Andrew Webster conceded the star halfback and fullback could be out for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad's legs were pinned awkwardly as Gehamat Shibasaki scored the first of his two tries while Metcalf was hammered as he passed the ball by Brendan Piakura, who was later placed on report. "We're going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out," Webster said. "But certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that much ... all possibilities on the table at the moment." Webster didn't bite when asked if he thought Metcalf was tackled illegally, but was more willing to comment on a pair of decisions that went against his men either side of halftime. Wayde Egan was called for off-side in the first half before Broncos star Reece Walsh earnt a penalty when he was obstructed while chasing a kick, despite being clearly offside. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside, like miles offside," Webster said of Walsh. "Wayde Egan in the first half, I ask you to go and pause it when the play-the-ball is and you tell me how he's offside. "He's three metres onside. So it's like they just made that up. "They (the NRL) probably will give me crap that it's foul play or something. That's the first infringement. I don't know how they miss it. "I'm not a touch, I'm not a ref. I was down there and I could see it." The prospect of charging on without his influential pair hasn't dented Webster's hopes though, given the talent underneath them. "Going into Round 1, we've got four elite halfbacks," Webster said. "We have Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Chanel (Tavita-Harris), Luke Metcalf. So we've got a lot to choose from there. "But if Charnze is out, we've got Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck." Bench utility Martin impressed at hooker, fullback and halfback on Saturday night as the injuries mounted. "I don't think many clubs have a bloke who can do that," Webster said. "We've got lots of options. "That's why we've got heaps of faith."
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Footy world divided by controversial Josh Addo-Carr call in Dragons' win
Parramatta was denied a try after a hugely controversial call in the second half of their 34-20 loss to St George-Illawarra on Saturday night. The Dragons led 26-4 at halftime after a dominant opening 40 minutes and appeared ready to coast to victory at WIN Stadium. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. But the Eels had other ideas, scoring three tries in an 11-minute stretch to roar back into the contest at 26-20. Then came the moment that will have plenty of people talking. The Eels moved the ball to the left side of the field with just over 17 minutes remaining, when Sean Russell found Josh Addo-Carr on the left wing. The man known as the Foxx broke a Corey Allan tackle and passed back inside to Russell, who had clear air in front of him to stroll to the line and give Parra the chance to tie the game at 26-26. But the touch judge had other ideas, lifting his flag and ruling Addo-Carr had touched the sideline to stun the Eels fans watching on. When the replay was shown, it was one of the tightest calls you could see on the footy field and far from convincing. 'Addo-Carr is away, it might be 26-26 in a moment,' Andrew Voss yelled on Fox League. 'No the flag is up, a foot over the sideline. Our man is standing by his decision. 'Addo-Carr, left leg down and then the right, where is it? Could be this one. I don't know. 'If it's not, it's as close as you can go. Oh boy.' Steve Roach added: 'I don't know about that. How could naked eye make a call? 'He had a player down in front of him, how could he see it?' Voss then clarified the ruling, stating: 'That is incredible that moment, but once the sideline official's flag goes up, the protocol is you don't go to the Bunker. It was going to be 26-all. 'Send some Panadol to the Dragons' box.' Fans were deeply divided by the incident on social media. Lui Zacher tweeted: 'Touchie has X ray vision to see through a Dragons player, and CSI: Enhance technology to call Addo-Carr's boot on the line 15 metres away, but someone chucks a forward pass right in front and it's 'I didn't see nuffin'.' @aotesam wrote: 'I think his foot *just* went into touch … but there is absolutely no way you can call it with confidence.' Jack Holdsworth said: 'The first time a useless touch judge has ever made a live call and he reckons he's seen 1mm of Addo-Carrs foot on the sideline. Give me a f**king spell.' Mr_Ives wrote: 'That Dragons Eels touchie could see Uranus without a telescope.' Gemma Rogers suggested: 'I thought the touchie got that right. Looked like his foot was just on the line.' LJ declared: 'Parra have been screwed big time there, that was never in touch!' The Dragons eventually scored another try through Valentine Holmes with five minutes remaining to establish a match-winning lead. Voss was left hoping Addo-Carr's moment wouldn't be the biggest talking point of a great game of footy. 'There's been so much happening in this game,' he said. 'I know people are going to go back to the Addo-Carr foot on the line. 'If he's in, it's the closest to being out anyway there's ever been and that would be 26-all at that point. 'But I'd rather savour the game at the moment, rather than the controversy.'
