Former Brisbane and Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters is poised to become the Kangaroos’ next head coach, with an announcement tipped for as early as Monday. News Corp reports that Walters has won the race to replace Mal Meninga as Australia’s next coach, but only on a three-game deal that will see him lead the Kangaroos in the end of year Ashes series against England.
The Australian Rugby League Commission met recently and decided to uphold a ban on club coaches leading the national side, ruling the likes of veteran South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett out of the running. NRL legend Brad Fittler had also been considered a favourite for the role but withdrew from the race due to his media commitments with Channel Nine.
Kevin Walters will reportedly only be handed a short-term deal as Kangaroos coach for the three-Test Ashes series in England later this year. Pic: Getty
Former Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith was also in contention but the ARLC always appeared to be leaning towards appointing someone with experience as a head coach at the top level, paving the way for Walters’ appointment. The former Brisbane coach remained tight-lipped when quizzed about his link to the vacant role on Fox League’s NRL coverage on Sunday, but suggested an announcement was imminent
“I can’t tell you anything. There’ll be a decision made tomorrow,” the six-time Broncos premiership winner said. “We’ll just wait and see. Obviously I’d be very privileged and grateful to get the opportunity to coach Australia. It’s a privilege to put the green and gold on and to coach the side, even more so. We’ll just see what happens tomorrow.”
Kevin Walters preferred to Cameron Smith for Kangaroos job
The ARLC has been on the lookout for someone to replace Meninga as Kangaroos coach, since the World Cup-winning mentor stepped down to join expansion side the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027. But after the Commission voted to uphold the ban on club coaches being able to take the role and Fittler pulled out of the running, it was essentially a two-horse race between Smith and Walters to be handed the reins for Australia’s Ashes campaign.
Smith is one of the greatest players of the modern era and made it clear that the Kangaroos job is something he would be honoured to take on. But the fact the Storm, Maroons and Kangaroos legend is untested as a professional head coach, left Walters as the logical choice.
The Kangaroos coaching role came down to a two-horse race between Cameron Smith and Kevin Walters. Pic: Gety
Kevin Walters set to be handed a short-term Kangaroos deal
The former Broncos coach has won two State of Origin series in charge of the Maroons and led Brisbane to the 2023 NRL grand final, before being replaced by Michael Maguire after a poor season last year. However, the fact Walters has reportedly only been handed a short-term deal with the Kangaroos is hardly a glowing endorsement from the ARLC and leaves his future beyond the Ashes series clouded.
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If the Kangaroos enjoy a winning three-Test series against England and play some attractive footy in their first Ashes tour in 22 years, there’s every chance Walters keeps the job for the home World Cup next year. One thing that is clear though is Walters will be ruled out of any NRL head coaching roles he’s been linked with, such as the Gold Coast Titans, who are strongly tipped to part ways with Des Hasler in 2025.