Three-game detail that clouds Kevin Walters' long-term future as Kangaroos coach
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.
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.
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.
RELATED:
Tigers player escapes charge over tackle that left superstar injured
Craig Bellamy flags further absence for Storm star Cameron Munster
Latrell moment says it all as Souths cop another season-ending blow
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Important defender sidelined for Crows' top-two push
Important Adelaide defender Max Michalanney will be sidelined for at least the rest of the AFL home and away season with a hamstring injury. Michalanney, a crucial part of Adelaide's backline, was substituted with the injury in the third quarter of Saturday night's thumping win over Port Adelaide and will miss four-to-six weeks. It means the Crows will continue their push for a top-two berth without the versatile defender, who will need to prove his fitness for finals. "It's unfortunate for Max given the season he's been having," Crows high performance boss Darren Burgess said. "Thankfully for us, we know he's an extremely diligent worker and will do everything possible to return stronger." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adelaide Crows (@adelaide_fc) Michalanney, 21, had played 64 of a possible 65 games since his debut in 2023. Adelaide will miss Michalanney against Hawthorn's dynamic forward line on Friday night, while he will also be sidelined for games against West Coast, Collingwood and North Melbourne. The Crows (56 points), sit second behind Collingwood (60) and just ahead of Brisbane (54). Geelong, Hawthorn, GWS and Fremantle (all 52 points) are all jostling for top-four berths.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Taylor's fighting talk inspires tourists
Jack Conan has revealed that a video message from Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor helped inspire the Lions' memorable comeback in their series-clinching victory over Australia. Olympic gold medallist and undisputed world super lightweight champion Taylor urged the touring party to dig deep in a good luck message before the second Test in Melbourne. The Lions took heed of Taylor's encouragement after overturning an 18-point deficit to win 29-26. "The video was unbelievably poignant and powerful. It spoke about being prepared to win with skill, but also being ready to win by will," said Ireland number eight Conan. "That was something that was massively summed up in the game because we were not at our best at all. "It's huge because she comes from the town I'm from. I'm incredibly proud of where I come from and I know Katie is as well. "She's gone on to achieve incredible feats in the boxing world. To be such a superstar, incredibly humble and driven is something that we leant on as well because we knew that Australia are a hugely proud nation and they showed it in spades. "Everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy - it resonated with everyone. It was unbelievably poignant, it was class. It really hit home for us." Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brutal call made on Broncos' hopes after premiership blow at hands of Panthers
NRL great Greg Alexander has called out the Brisbane Broncos and questioned if they have enough in them to win the NRL title after a shock defeat to the Parramatta Eels on Friday night. The Broncos headed into the clash against the Eels as heavy favourites after steadying their top eight hopes with five straight wins. However, Michael Maguire was left deflated after the 22-20 defeat at home to Parramatta with the Broncos once again folding when the pressure was piled on them. Reece Walsh had a rocks and diamonds game with errors mixed in with flashes of brilliance. Although Broncos great Corey Parker defended Walsh and claimed veterans Adam Reynolds and hooker Ben Hunt didn't stand up on Friday night. While Payne Haas appeared to finish the game struggling with a reoccurring back injury. The Broncos slipped to sixth on the ladder, but are only two points ahead of the Manly Sea Eagles in ninth. Maguire's men have been accused of lacking grunt in 2025 and they were once again called out after their latest display. And NRL commentator Andrew Voss claimed the team lacks the resilience to finish in the top four. 'I have not hopped on the Brisbane Broncos bus at all this year,' Voss said on Monday morning on SEN Radio. 'I still think they are absolutely capable of torching sides between now and at the end of the season. 'However, it's not consistent and I don't see any resilience. I do not see the top four toughness. I see them as pretenders." And Penrith legend Alexander claimed the team are prone to errors and capitulations once the game gets tough. He also questioned if their five-game winning streak was inflated because they beat the Titans twice. 'They are fair weather,' Alexander said. 'On their day, they can beat anyone. They were looking to make it their sixth win in a row and the Gold Coast Titans were two of those wins. The Eels exposed the frailty of this Brisbane side. They don't like it when sides get down and dirty. They don't like sides who play boring and relentless footy and that's what Mitch Moses did (for Parramatta). 'The Broncos couldn't handle it and once the scores got close, the errors and inability to get down into the grind exposed Brisbane. I'm with you (Voss). They are a fair weather team who (only likes) to play in front.' The Broncos are contending with a surging Penrith Panthers side who have moved from last on the ladder to fifth. The Panthers now sit one point ahead of the Broncos with Nathan Cleary leading his side to a 36-2 win over the Wests Tigers on the weekend to mark their seventh straight victory. The Broncos still have to play the Storm twice before the end of the season. RELATED: Stunning development for Cleary brothers as Luai under heavy fire Cameron Munster 'open' to switch to Melbourne Storm's rival Corey Parker defends Reece Walsh after loss Walsh came under scrutiny for his game, despite coming close to winning it for his side at the end only to be called offside. Walsh tried his heart out, but came up with a number of errors. Although former Broncos forward Parker was more critical of the veterans in the team who failed to outperform their counterparts. "There are moments in any sport when you need leadership," the Broncos legend said on SEN radio on Monday. "There comes a time when your most experienced players and your leaders have to stand up and make some bold calls, and they have to stay on task. "The Broncos have got Adam Reynolds at 35 years of age and over 300 games of experience. He's the No.7. He's what you would think is the leader of the football side. He's the captain, and he plays a real pivotal position. "Then you've got Ben Hunt at No.9 with just shy of 350 games. So between those two individuals you've got a collective 651 games between them. We hear so often when the Broncos win or don't win, it's either Reece Walsh has had an ordinary game or Reece Walsh has had a great game. [But] experience in big games and pivotal moments is paramount."
