Sport: PNG Rugby League search for Meninga replacement

12:39 pm on 3 December 2015

Mal Meninga has been confirmed as the new Australian rugby league coach, ending his record-breaking reign in charge of Queensland, while also forcing Papua New Guinea to begin the search for a new Kumuls mentor.

Meninga has led the Maroons to victory in nine of the past 10 State of Origin series and has also been a part of the PNG national team set-up since for the past two years.

He was appointed PNG Rugby League's performance director in 2013 and helped head coach Adrian Lam during the Kumuls World Cup campaign, before taking over the coaching reins last year.

Meninga had been expected to guide the team towards the next World Cup in 2017, where the Kumuls will play their three pool matches in Port Moresby.

Queensland State of Origin coach and former Australian Rugby League stalwart Mal Meninga.

Mal Meninga has been appointed coach of the Kangaroos. Photo: Getty Images

He also re-committed to Queensland for a futher three years but has made no secret of his interest in coaching Australia, after the long-serving Tim Sheens left his post earlier this year.