{"id":2122,"date":"2025-07-18T03:51:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T03:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/2122\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T03:51:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T03:51:11","slug":"fans-react-as-cameron-smith-set-to-miss-out-on-high-profile-role-to-kevin-walters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/2122\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans react as Cameron Smith set to miss out on high-profile role to Kevin Walters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cameron Smith appears to be behind other candidates<\/a> for the Kangaroos head coaching role with suggestions Kevin Walters fits the criteria for the vacant job ahead of the Ashes series later this year. The Australian job became vacant when Mal Meninga stepped down as the national coach after accepting the Perth Bears head coach position.<\/p>\n

Former NSW coach Brad Fittler was expected to take over the job, but dropped a bombshell on the Australian Rugby League Commission having turned down the opportunity. Walters and Smith appear the frontrunners <\/a>for the role with pressure growing on the ARLC to appoint a coach soon.<\/p>\n

\"Cameron<\/p>\n

Cameron Smith (pictured left) appears set to miss out on the Kangaroos head coaching role with suggestions Kevin Walters (pictured right) fits the criteria for the vacant job. (Images: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Smith admitted interest in the position, but claimed he hadn’t been contacted over the role. The NRL<\/a> is also set to uphold its ban on club coaches leading the Kangaroos<\/a>, in a move that ends Wayne Bennett’s hopes of coaching Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And reporter Michael Carayannis has claimed Walters has taken the lead as the man to lead Australia against England with Bennett being ruled out. \u201cIt sort of puts Kevvie Walters at the front of the queue, boys, for what the commission is looking for,\u201d he said on SEN Radio. \u201cI think it\u2019s his job now. He\u2019s coached Queensland to a couple of series wins, has coached Brisbane to a grand final (and is a) decorated player in his own right.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like Kevie Walters is most likely going to be the next Kangaroos coach.\u201d Walters has coached Queensland in State of Origin and most recently took Brisbane to the 2023 NRL Grand final. However, he was let go the following season having failed to take the Broncos to the top eight.<\/p>\n

Carayannis said what puts Walters in the lead for the role is his previous coaching experience, which Smith lacks at the highest level. \u201cWith respect to Cam, I think they want someone who has coached at a representative level and had success at the NRL level,\u201d he added on why Walters might be favourite.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that is part of the prerequisite, rightly or wrongly, that\u2019s what they are looking for. So, if you break it down, who really is out there aside from Kevie that fits that? He seems like the logical solution, considering they want to go down the path of having a club coach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walters has already talked about his desire of taking the head coaching role and would jump at the opportunity. \u201cOne of my goals, one of my dreams was to coach Queensland,\u201d Walters said on Triple M Radio. \u201c(One was to) coach in the NRL secondly and the third one and probably the biggest goal was to one day maybe coach Australia which was a dream and (I was) not thinking more about it at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be a huge honour to coach Australia. I\u2019d certainly like to sit down with people and have a chat about what the situation is and what they are looking for\u2026I\u2019d be very interested in that role.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the ARLC has yet to formally announce a coach, fans are becoming impatient. The Ashes is in fewer than 100 days, but no coach has been announced to start building an idea of a squad to take on England in the historic event.<\/p>\n

Kevvie will be great roos coach plenty of passion for jersey better then fittler<\/p>\n

\u2014 scoot (@scof177057) July 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

I’m not a fan of Kevvie. But I actually don’t mind this move. I think he would be good in that role.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dasher A (@DavidA_2110) July 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Cameron Smith weighs-up vacant Australia job<\/p>\n

One of the factors working against Smith is he has no experience as a head coach, but previously worked as an assistant to Billy Slater with the Queensland State of Origin team<\/a>. The Melbourne Storm legend is regarded as one of the leading brains in the NRL, but has no desire to coach at club level.<\/p>\n

Speaking about the opportunity, Smith said he would consider the job if approached. “I think for me, if I was to take on the role or even consider taking on the role, I’d have to have a conversation with someone about what the role would entail, what the commitments would be,” he said on ‘100% Footy’ on Channel Nine. “Of course, there’s an Ashes coming up and then a World Cup next year as well.<\/p>\n

“I think for me, if I was to take on the role or even consider taking on the role, I’d have to have a conversation with someone about what the role would entail, what the commitments would be. As Freddy said, he’s got a great job with Channel 9, as do I, I love my role with the commentary team at the moment, I’ve got three young kids as well, I’m up in Bundaberg watching my eldest play netball (tonight). But it’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to coach our country. I was lucky enough to play for Kangaroos many, many times. To be able to coach such a wonderful team full of wonderful footballers would be a great opportunity.”<\/p>\n

\"PENRITH,<\/p>\n

PENRITH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 15: Former player, Cameron Smith looks on prior to the round 24 NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm at BlueBet Stadium, on August 15, 2024, in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n