‘It’s about character’: Meninga outlines Perth Bears recruitment vision

Savannah Lendich Jonkers • May 7th, 2026 2:49 pm

There is concern from rival NRL clubs for Mal Meninga and the Perth Bears | Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

As the Perth Bears recruiting process continues, inaugural head coach Mal Meninga says player selection has focused more on mindsets, rather than on-field abilities.

“It's not about footy, it's not about rugby league, it's not about their talent as a rugby league player, it's more around their character, it is about doing it for the right reasons, coming across the West, not being bothered by the tyranny of distance." Meninga told Sport Nation's Millsy & Guy.

“A lot of people talk about the travel commitments, but just coming over here (Perth) for a new opportunity, being brave and courageous enough to take that step. If they do it for the right reasons, I know I'm going to get a great player.”

Meninga said however the biggest challenge in creating a new club is logistics, relocating all players and management.

“We'll have something like 36 players coming from all parts of the globe.

“Some are from New Zealand obviously, we've got some from England, the east coast of Australia so, it's all around those logistics.”

Meninga noted management has been able to work alongside Western Australia universities that specialise in all things travel, sleep, hydration related in sport performance.

“The two sports that actually have the best away record in Australian sport are the Perth Wildcats and the Perth Scorches.”

“We're still working on the recruitment side of things, making sure that we get the right players, obviously, with the right characteristics we're after.”

The club has already signed 20 players, needing 24 by November 1st, plus they are moving closer towards 30,000 members.

But while the Bears are the first of the NRL's current expansion plans, Meninga believes with such a large talent pool, there is room to expand the competition to 20 teams.

“I believe a lot of the talent now lies in New Zealand.”

“So the only caution I have with putting a new franchise together is making sure financially it's all stable and you've got enough resources.”

The Perth Bears will join the competition in 2027 along with Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028, bringing the tally to 19 teams in the NRL.

Listen to the full interview below: