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."

But speaking to Fairfax Media in Birmingham, Meninga said, "I just didn't get paid. It's a simple as that.

"At the same time, I was offered a position with the Australian team. Because those obligations weren't fulfilled, from a legal point of view I was able to move on.

"That was propagating the game up there. They're a tier two team. They needed some help. We went up there to help generate funds and revenue to keep it going.

"We actually helped get them [PNG Hunters] into the Intrust Super Cup in Queensland. It was about that, trying to improve the program."

The Kumuls situation has been used by fans defending Wayne Bennett against accusations from Meninga that the England coach had tried to sabotage him.

Asked why he had waited so long to defend himself, he answered, "Why should I do it? You don't gain anything from that."

Meanwhile, former Canberra Raiders favourite Terry Campese has set his sites on a tumultuous return to GIO Stadium after his Italian side qualified for the World Cup on Friday night.

The Azzurri's 76-0 win over Russia at Leigh Sports Village allows Cameron Ciraldo's side to claim the 14th and final place in next year's World Cup in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

And that means Campese will be playing in Canberra, where he donned the lime green 139 times between 2004 and 2014.

"I'm going back to the local team, Queanbeyan Blues," said Campese. "I'm captain coach there. I'm pretty excited. It's something I've always wanted to do. I get to coach which is something I'm very interested in.

"Hopefully I'll have a good season there and then get to represent the Italians in the World Cup.

"We get to play in Canberra as well. It could potentially be one of my last games of rugby league."

 

Author: 
www.smh.com.au