Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters is hopeful of extending his stay as Australian coach heading into the 2026 World Cup on home soil after his side’s 3-0 Ashes series sweep.

Walters signed a short-term three game contract to lead the Kangaroos on their 2025 Ashes Tour, but he is no guarantee to be at the helm going forward despite his unbeaten record.

Australia were clunky in attack during the Ashes whitewash against a disappointing England side, while his decision not to play six players and keep a virtually unchanged side save for the injury to Isaah Yeo has come under the microscope.

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However, it is hard to argue with results and Australia did the job and didn’t lose a game on tour, so it would be a bold call to replace Walters after he achieved what he set out to do in his first series in charge of the Australian team.

“No, well, I’m okay with whichever way they go,” Walters said when asked about his future as Kangaroos coach.

“It was an opportune situation for me to step in and coach Australia, and I’m really happy with the guys and the staff.

“Everyone’s been really good and a good experience for me as well.”

Pressed on whether he has the desire to coach on to the World Cup and potentially beyond.

“Of course, I mean, this is a dream job for me, coaching our greatest players for the Kangaroos,” Walters said.

“It’s a wonderful job and I’m very grateful for it.”

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Kevin Walters after the Kangaroos’ Ashes series sweep.Source: FOX SPORTS

It is hard to argue with Walters’ record for Australia having now tasted success on an Ashes tour as a player and a coach.

“It’s a great experience and I loved playing for the Kangaroos in my time in the jersey, but now coaching them, it’s just great people and they really worked hard this series to get the win, 3-0 in particular, so hats off to the players,” Walters said.

Walters was showered with champagne post match after Australia beat England 30-8 in an at times tense third Test at Headingley, with the Kangaroos leading just 12-8 at half-time.

“That’s the celebrations of winning, isn’t it?” Walters said of the champagne shower.

“Really proud of our guys again today. It was a tough game again, which we knew we were expecting.

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“We were just hanging in well, particularly happy with our defence again. It really stood up today.”

Australia’s spluttering attack has been a huge talking point this series and Walters admitted the England side were good at putting the Kangaroos off their game at times in that area.

“It was good at times, but then just the way the game was played out and the toughness of the English, they kept bringing us into this street brawl and it’s not how we like to play it sometimes,” Walters said.

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Walters called for more Ashes tours in the future to grow the concept back to what it was and keep improving the standard of the contests.

“We certainly do (take home the Ashes trophy), but it just reminds me again the importance of international rugby league, in particular the Ashes series,” Walters said.

“I mean, I was very fortunate as a player to experience that throughout my whole career and these guys have got a taste of it now.

“I’m sure they want to come back for more and likewise for the English team, I’m sure they want to travel out to Australia and take on the Australians in our home country.

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“So a great series for us, but trying to build the international program, the World Cup on next year again in Australia, so we look forward to that as well.”

Walters was given the last word on his World Cup hopes and responded in typical Kevvie fashion with a joke and a smile.

“Thank you, we look forward to seeing you next year, hopefully,” Walters said.

“Let’s do that.”