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

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