Andrew Johns throws support behind Brad Fittler to become Mal Meninga's Kangaroos successor

Andrew Johns has thrown his support behind close friend and former NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler as the man who should replace Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga when the time comes. Meninga has led the Australian rugby league side for the past eight years and there is no suggestion that he is on the chopping block.

Meninga will lead the Kangaroos in the three-way battle for the Pacific Cup in late October and early November against New Zealand and Tonga. It will be the first time the Kangaroos have stepped out since a crushing 30-0 defeat - Australia’s heaviest loss since 1908 - in last year’s Pacific Championships final. But if the Australian side doesn't perform as expected in the Pacific Cup, they may choose to part ways with their experienced coach.

But regardless of whether a succession plan is in the near or distant future, NRL great Johns believes when the time comes the right man for the job is Fittler. The Newcastle legend says Fittler's "simple" approach is perfect for international rugby league. And with the announcement earlier this week that Fittler will be in charge of the Prime Minister's XIII squad, many believe the move could point to the former Blues coach being next in line for the Kangaroos job.

"I could really see him (Fittler) doing that (taking the Kangaroos job)," Johns said on Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour. "Mal has got the job until he decides to finish up, but I could really see Freddy putting his hand up. I could imagine him coaching Australia, he would be good.

"I think he would love it … Freddy would be great. The players would respond to him, he keeps it simple. In that job, you don't really have to coach them - you just have to manage them and keep everyone happy and motivated."

Brad Fittler endured mixed fortunes as NSW Blues coach

The 52-year-old led the Blues for six years, finishing with three series wins and three losses. He lost the final two series he coached after Billy Slater became the Queensland mentor. And with mounting pressure for the Blues to win back the Origin shield, Fittler ultimately decided to not put his hat in the ring for the role in 2024, with Michael Maguire taking over and enjoying immediate success - leading NSW to a 2-1 series victory in 2024.

Fittler previously spoke about the intense scrutiny and criticism of his methods and the results during his tenure, and how the pressure eventually took a toll on not just him but also his wife and kids. "I've got my methods and strategies (to deal with criticism) in place for this job. I've worked it out, but for the first time, all this talk has affected my partner and my kids," he previously told the Sydney Morning Herald.

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The NRL great also said in an interview with 2GB: "You definitely take the losses harder as a coach. It is not about if I want to do it or not, it's about what is best for the team. The last couple of series have been pretty gruelling and I think me being there adds pressure to the team as well. I also need to take that into consideration.

"There are some decent decisions that need to be made. At the end of the day it is all about who is the best person for the job and they then have to go and find that person."