Rugby League legend and Sam Burgess overtake Leeds Rhinos coach in race for Perth Bears job

A rugby league legend and Warrington Wolves’ boss Sam Burgess are now reportedly the favourites for the Perth Bears coaching job, with the potential co-coaches overtaking Leeds Rhinos man Brad Arthur.

Perth Bears were formally confirmed in recent weeks and that’s seen the hunt for a head coach ramp up with a string of front-runners emerge.

For a long time, it seemed that Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur was almost nailed-on for the role but he’s now been overtaken with rugby league icon Mal Meninga and Warrington Wolves’ Sam Burgess being floated as possible co-coaches.

It was reported last week that both Meninga and Arthur had conducted interviews, however, journalist Brent Read has now revealed on Triple M Radio that Burgess was also an interviewee with those in charge at Perth aiming to have had an announcement done this week.

Speaking on Triple M, Read said: “From day dot, Brad has been the front-runner to the point where there were suggestions that Brad was practically guaranteed the job but the story today is that Mal and Sam have now gone past Brad.

“They are the favourites for the role, potentially as co-coaches of that team in its inaugural season and over the next 12 months as they piece together a team.”

Could Sam Burgess coach Perth Bears with rugby league legend?

Meninga is currently the coach of the Australian national team and becoming Perth Bears head coach could see him have to drop his dedication to the Kangaroos ahead of next year’s Rugby League World Cup.

However, as a co-coach with Burgess, who sees his Warrington Wolves contract expire at the end of the 2026 season, there could be more balance.

Read confirmed: “I think the hope is to announce something this week. I wouldn’t say that Brad is out of the picture because obviously if they can’t get a deal done with Mal and Sam then Brad is an option.

“It definitely sounds like Mal and Sam are the favourites for that job,” however he added: “The NRL have stressed that it’s not done but that was the mail we got today, Mal and Sam are the preferred candidates.”

Fellow leading journalist Buzz Rothfield weighed in on the debate and argued that in an AFL-focused town, the combination of Meninga and Burgess would carry far more weight in turning the locals towards rugby league.

He argued: “I’ve nothing against Brad Arthur but to go into a town like Perth, you need someone a little bit bigger than Brad, not as a rugby league coach but as a personality and figurehead.

“I think that combination of Mal and Sam is a wonderful one. I personally would have Mal as a figurehead and allow Sam the reigns to coach the footy side.”