Kevin Walters backed as Kangaroos rugby league coach by captain Isaah Yeo
Walters is expected to be announced as Mal Meninga's successor this week, with the ARL Commission (ARLC) finalising plans to unveil him ahead of this year's Ashes.
It comes after Meninga was forced to step down upon taking on the Perth Bears job last month and the ARLC ruled out having a club coach in charge.
Walters's appointment will mark his return to coaching after being axed by Brisbane at the end of 2024. He previously led Queensland in four State of Origin series from 2016 to 2019, winning two.
Yeo has never previously worked with Walters, with his only dealings being in post-match interviews or playing against him while in charge of the Broncos, when Yeo's Panthers broke Brisbane hearts in the 2023 grand final.
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But he has spoken to a number of players about the 57-year-old, and was happy to have him take over the Kangaroos ahead of the Ashes.
"You can see how much he meant to the players by talking to the Broncos' boys," Yeo said.
"If it wasn't for Nathan Cleary killing it for 16 or 17 minutes, then he'd be a premiership-winning coach. Everyone I've spoken to has massive raps on him.
"He's come out and said how much of an honour it'll be to be able to coach Brisbane, Queensland and his last one was going to be Australia.
"I'm super excited for him. You can see how much it means to him already, and I'd love to be a part of it with him."
Walters's appointment will give him just three months to prepare for the Ashes, with the first Test against England at Wembley Stadium on October 25.
That short lead-in was part of former NSW coach Brad Fittler's reasoning to withdraw from the race, while also concerned about juggling media commitments.
Yeo is happy the coaching questions will soon be answered, with Walters able to fully focus on the tour without worrying about a club side.
"That's probably where it's gotten a little bit hard for whoever was going to come in because it's going to be rushed for them," Yeo said.
"It'd be hard being an NRL coach and having to worry about a push to the finals, and then you're trying to do this stuff on top of it.
"It's nice that it's all done and sealed, and we can now get to planning what will hopefully be a successful series over there.
"He's been pretty busy, Kev, doing a lot with Fox [Sports] at the moment. But it certainly helps because he's now got three months to try to figure it out."
Walters's appointment comes after Cameron Smith also put his hand up for the job, while the ARLC's no-club-job approach ruled out Wayne Bennett.
AAP

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West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
MITCHELL JOHNSON: Ben Stokes' warning to India about sledging should not scare Australia ahead of Ashes
There's noise coming out of England again. Apparently, they've decided that sledging is back in fashion. Harry Brook reckons it's fun not being 'nice guys' anymore. Ben Stokes is warning opponents — especially India — that if they dish it out, England will return fire. Good on them. But here's a bit of advice: be careful what you wish for. Ashes series are about mental edge, sure. There's always been chatter, always will be. But sledging without substance is like bowling bouncers with no pace — the batter just laughs at it. Right now, England sound like they're trying to sound intimidating rather than being intimidating. Let's not pretend Australia are choirboys. I had plenty to say when I played — and copped plenty back. But that came with purpose. Sledging only works when you're dominating. And to be honest, right now England aren't. They haven't won an Ashes series since in Australia since 2010-11. They still don't know what their best top six is. Their Bazball model has some punch, but it's flimsy when conditions swing or spin. So maybe talking tough is a cover. A bit of theatre while they figure out the actual cricket. Here's what England need to remember: the Ashes aren't won at press conferences. They're won in the heat. When the new ball is jagging around at the Gabba. When a Mitchell Starc inswinger nips past your front pad before you've even had a look. When a bloke like Josh Hazlewood bowls 25 overs on the same spot and you can't breathe. That's when the real battle starts, not in the media, not on social clips, but in those moments when the scoreboard pressure builds and the crowd is roaring. I actually love this from an Aussie point of view. Let England yap. Let them tell the world how hard they're going to be. All it does is give the Australians more fire. Trust me — if you try to poke the bear on our home turf, you'd better have the game to back it up. Because when the words dry up — and they will — it's all about execution. That's where Australia are so strong. Bowlers who do the job no matter the surface. Batters who absorb pressure and make you suffer. Fielders who don't give you an inch. That's real toughness. If England think sledging will rattle this Aussie side, they're living in dreamland. This is a team full of veterans who've seen it all — and young players who grew up in these conditions. You don't need to get personal. You just need to perform. In fact, the most painful thing you can do to a team that's chirping is shut them up with cricket. Silence is the loudest response there is. While Australia might be at their most vulnerable in years with this current batting line-up — a few question marks at the top, the middle still rebuilding — they're still incredibly hard to beat at home. Always have been. Conditions, crowds, our bowlers — they all make life hell for touring teams. Especially ones coming in swinging wildly with the bat and the tongue. Let's not forget what happened last time England came down under. All the chat, all the optimism, then bowled out for 147 in the first innings of the first Test and for just 68 in the Boxing Day Test a couple of weeks later. That was the sound of reality setting in. And no amount of sledging helped them then. I'm not saying Australia are immune to pressure. They're not. This Ashes series could be tight — maybe even a real scrap. But if England think mouthing off is the key to getting on top of us, they've already lost focus. So to England, I say: bring your best. Talk your talk. But when that first ball is bowled in Perth in November, you'll find out quickly what's real and what's just noise. Because in the Ashes, only one thing matters — and it's not the volume.


The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hughes hospitalised as Storm title hopes take a hit
The NRL premiership race has been blown wide open, after Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder in their 34-30 win over the Sydney Roosters. Premiership favourites headed into the round, Melbourne are now facing the prospect of losing the reigning Dally M Medallist for their title charge. With Hughes off the field and Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen both missing, Harry Grant stood up for the Storm as they won one of the games of the season on Thursday night. The hooker scored once and then set up two second-half tries, taking charge of Melbourne's attack at Allianz Stadium. But it also appears likely to be extremely costly, with Hughes leaving the field early in the second half after attempting a tackle on James Tedesco with an outstretched arm and hitting the ground hard after. Melbourne medical staff then struggled to put the joint back in, prompting the 30-year-old to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. "He'll probably have to go under to get it back in," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. "I don't think it's overly good news. "I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem ... it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint." Melbourne have Tyran Wishart as one option at No.7 after he filled in for Munster at five-eighth on Thursday night, with Jonah Pezet the alternative. The Storm entered Thursday in third place with two wins over fifth-placed Brisbane, but have a brutal run home in their bid to finish in the top four. After Parramatta next week, the Storm have Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury and then the Roosters and Broncos again in the run to the finals. "Obviously no one wants to lose their halfback. He is a massive part of our footy team without a doubt," Bellamy said. "It'll take a bit. We probably won't recover completely, he was the Dally M player last year. However long he is out for, we're going to miss him." Thursday night was also costly for the Roosters' finals chances, after playing the majority of the game without halfback Sandon Smith following a first-half head clash. Trent Robinson's men will finish the round in 10th, but could be as many as four points outside the top eight with a crucial clash against Manly next week. In a frantic match of attacking highs, the lead changed hands five times. Sam Walker kicked for four of the Roosters' tries and helped lay on another when Tedesco batted on a pass from the halfback. Daniel Tupou scored for two of those four-pointers, including one from a pinpoint perfect Walker cross-field kick where he outleapt opposite winger Kane Bradley. But ultimately it was an error from Tupou that cruelled the Tricolours, with the winger bombing a try over the line with them up 30-28. Walker also had a costly grubberkick go dead when the Roosters lead 24-22. After both Walker and Tupou's errors, the Storm went downfield and scored shortly after. "We had our opportunities, it came down to moments," Robinson said. "It's tough when you lose a half and your system relies on two halves, which is natural. "We adapted well in yardage and midfield, and we didn't adapt that well in good ball." Grant, meanwhile, nailed the key moments. He scored once himself when he went over in the first half, splitting Smith and Salesi Foketi as the two clashed heads. Then with Hughes off the field at 24-16 down, the No.9 provided the two biggest plays of the second half, first putting King through a hole to score his second. And with the game on the line and Melbourne down 30-28, Grant made use of a quick play-the-ball, scurried centrefield and sent Stefano Utoikamanu over. The NRL premiership race has been blown wide open, after Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder in their 34-30 win over the Sydney Roosters. Premiership favourites headed into the round, Melbourne are now facing the prospect of losing the reigning Dally M Medallist for their title charge. With Hughes off the field and Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen both missing, Harry Grant stood up for the Storm as they won one of the games of the season on Thursday night. The hooker scored once and then set up two second-half tries, taking charge of Melbourne's attack at Allianz Stadium. But it also appears likely to be extremely costly, with Hughes leaving the field early in the second half after attempting a tackle on James Tedesco with an outstretched arm and hitting the ground hard after. Melbourne medical staff then struggled to put the joint back in, prompting the 30-year-old to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. "He'll probably have to go under to get it back in," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. "I don't think it's overly good news. "I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem ... it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint." Melbourne have Tyran Wishart as one option at No.7 after he filled in for Munster at five-eighth on Thursday night, with Jonah Pezet the alternative. The Storm entered Thursday in third place with two wins over fifth-placed Brisbane, but have a brutal run home in their bid to finish in the top four. After Parramatta next week, the Storm have Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury and then the Roosters and Broncos again in the run to the finals. "Obviously no one wants to lose their halfback. He is a massive part of our footy team without a doubt," Bellamy said. "It'll take a bit. We probably won't recover completely, he was the Dally M player last year. However long he is out for, we're going to miss him." Thursday night was also costly for the Roosters' finals chances, after playing the majority of the game without halfback Sandon Smith following a first-half head clash. Trent Robinson's men will finish the round in 10th, but could be as many as four points outside the top eight with a crucial clash against Manly next week. In a frantic match of attacking highs, the lead changed hands five times. Sam Walker kicked for four of the Roosters' tries and helped lay on another when Tedesco batted on a pass from the halfback. Daniel Tupou scored for two of those four-pointers, including one from a pinpoint perfect Walker cross-field kick where he outleapt opposite winger Kane Bradley. But ultimately it was an error from Tupou that cruelled the Tricolours, with the winger bombing a try over the line with them up 30-28. Walker also had a costly grubberkick go dead when the Roosters lead 24-22. After both Walker and Tupou's errors, the Storm went downfield and scored shortly after. "We had our opportunities, it came down to moments," Robinson said. "It's tough when you lose a half and your system relies on two halves, which is natural. "We adapted well in yardage and midfield, and we didn't adapt that well in good ball." Grant, meanwhile, nailed the key moments. He scored once himself when he went over in the first half, splitting Smith and Salesi Foketi as the two clashed heads. Then with Hughes off the field at 24-16 down, the No.9 provided the two biggest plays of the second half, first putting King through a hole to score his second. And with the game on the line and Melbourne down 30-28, Grant made use of a quick play-the-ball, scurried centrefield and sent Stefano Utoikamanu over. The NRL premiership race has been blown wide open, after Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder in their 34-30 win over the Sydney Roosters. Premiership favourites headed into the round, Melbourne are now facing the prospect of losing the reigning Dally M Medallist for their title charge. With Hughes off the field and Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen both missing, Harry Grant stood up for the Storm as they won one of the games of the season on Thursday night. The hooker scored once and then set up two second-half tries, taking charge of Melbourne's attack at Allianz Stadium. But it also appears likely to be extremely costly, with Hughes leaving the field early in the second half after attempting a tackle on James Tedesco with an outstretched arm and hitting the ground hard after. Melbourne medical staff then struggled to put the joint back in, prompting the 30-year-old to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. "He'll probably have to go under to get it back in," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. "I don't think it's overly good news. "I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem ... it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint." Melbourne have Tyran Wishart as one option at No.7 after he filled in for Munster at five-eighth on Thursday night, with Jonah Pezet the alternative. The Storm entered Thursday in third place with two wins over fifth-placed Brisbane, but have a brutal run home in their bid to finish in the top four. After Parramatta next week, the Storm have Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury and then the Roosters and Broncos again in the run to the finals. "Obviously no one wants to lose their halfback. He is a massive part of our footy team without a doubt," Bellamy said. "It'll take a bit. We probably won't recover completely, he was the Dally M player last year. However long he is out for, we're going to miss him." Thursday night was also costly for the Roosters' finals chances, after playing the majority of the game without halfback Sandon Smith following a first-half head clash. Trent Robinson's men will finish the round in 10th, but could be as many as four points outside the top eight with a crucial clash against Manly next week. In a frantic match of attacking highs, the lead changed hands five times. Sam Walker kicked for four of the Roosters' tries and helped lay on another when Tedesco batted on a pass from the halfback. Daniel Tupou scored for two of those four-pointers, including one from a pinpoint perfect Walker cross-field kick where he outleapt opposite winger Kane Bradley. But ultimately it was an error from Tupou that cruelled the Tricolours, with the winger bombing a try over the line with them up 30-28. Walker also had a costly grubberkick go dead when the Roosters lead 24-22. After both Walker and Tupou's errors, the Storm went downfield and scored shortly after. "We had our opportunities, it came down to moments," Robinson said. "It's tough when you lose a half and your system relies on two halves, which is natural. "We adapted well in yardage and midfield, and we didn't adapt that well in good ball." Grant, meanwhile, nailed the key moments. He scored once himself when he went over in the first half, splitting Smith and Salesi Foketi as the two clashed heads. Then with Hughes off the field at 24-16 down, the No.9 provided the two biggest plays of the second half, first putting King through a hole to score his second. And with the game on the line and Melbourne down 30-28, Grant made use of a quick play-the-ball, scurried centrefield and sent Stefano Utoikamanu over.


The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Warriors put stake in Brisbane heartland with academy
Some of the greatest rugby league players to lace a boot have come out of Logan and now the Warriors are in prime position to snare the next crop. The fourth-placed Warriors will establish a training academy and community program in the city in Brisbane's south to offer an elite training and identification program and assist young people connect with sport and find career paths outside of footy. Cameron Smith, Lote Tuqiri, Corey Parker, Brad Meyers, Josh Papalii and Jaydn Su'A are just a taste of the elite stars to have been produced by the Logan Brothers junior powerhouse club alone. The Warriors have watched on as a suite of their best junior players joined Australian-based clubs on scholarships and moved into elite development systems. The great Benji Marshall was a trailblazer who attended league powerhouse Keebra Park High on the Gold Coast as a youth before moving into the Wests Tigers system. His move inspired a suite of players from New Zealand to follow suit and most of them were snapped up by NSW or Queensland-based clubs. The new academy at Logan will help reverse that trend and with the huge number of New Zealand-born migrants in southeast Queensland will give them great access to elite youth, not just from Pacific nations but also local talent. Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club would establish permanent staff in Logan to work closely with the community and find the talent that has proven to be abundant. "Logan is a nursery. It is a rugby league hot-bed," George said. "It is a strategic move, absolutely, but we have been offered opportunities on the eastern seaboard before but never taken them up. "The most important thing for us is to build better families and generations to come and when we came here and saw the Kiwi population that does live here there are plenty of fans here. The question I asked myself was: Why not? "We have 12 academies in New Zealand doing really well but that shouldn't preclude us from coming to Australia where we have a great connection with a huge fan base that grows all the time. "If we can make kids become the best version of themselves as possible we will be proud. If we can get two or three footballers out of here, boys or girls, we will be happy and extremely proud." George said the elite academy for boys and girls in Logan would provide a direct pathway to the Warriors NRL and NRLW teams. The Broncos, Gold Coast and most recently Dolphins have been in the best position to source juniors from their near neighbour Logan but now the Warriors are set to be a force. The partnership with Logan City Council is one that Mayor Jon Raven said should fit hand in glove. "Logan is the leading rugby league nursery in the nation and has one of the largest populations of people of New Zealand and Pacific Island descent outside of Auckland," he said. "The Warriors are known for their strong community connections and supporting development opportunities for young people, which are values we love here in Logan." Some of the greatest rugby league players to lace a boot have come out of Logan and now the Warriors are in prime position to snare the next crop. The fourth-placed Warriors will establish a training academy and community program in the city in Brisbane's south to offer an elite training and identification program and assist young people connect with sport and find career paths outside of footy. Cameron Smith, Lote Tuqiri, Corey Parker, Brad Meyers, Josh Papalii and Jaydn Su'A are just a taste of the elite stars to have been produced by the Logan Brothers junior powerhouse club alone. The Warriors have watched on as a suite of their best junior players joined Australian-based clubs on scholarships and moved into elite development systems. The great Benji Marshall was a trailblazer who attended league powerhouse Keebra Park High on the Gold Coast as a youth before moving into the Wests Tigers system. His move inspired a suite of players from New Zealand to follow suit and most of them were snapped up by NSW or Queensland-based clubs. The new academy at Logan will help reverse that trend and with the huge number of New Zealand-born migrants in southeast Queensland will give them great access to elite youth, not just from Pacific nations but also local talent. Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club would establish permanent staff in Logan to work closely with the community and find the talent that has proven to be abundant. "Logan is a nursery. It is a rugby league hot-bed," George said. "It is a strategic move, absolutely, but we have been offered opportunities on the eastern seaboard before but never taken them up. "The most important thing for us is to build better families and generations to come and when we came here and saw the Kiwi population that does live here there are plenty of fans here. The question I asked myself was: Why not? "We have 12 academies in New Zealand doing really well but that shouldn't preclude us from coming to Australia where we have a great connection with a huge fan base that grows all the time. "If we can make kids become the best version of themselves as possible we will be proud. If we can get two or three footballers out of here, boys or girls, we will be happy and extremely proud." George said the elite academy for boys and girls in Logan would provide a direct pathway to the Warriors NRL and NRLW teams. The Broncos, Gold Coast and most recently Dolphins have been in the best position to source juniors from their near neighbour Logan but now the Warriors are set to be a force. The partnership with Logan City Council is one that Mayor Jon Raven said should fit hand in glove. "Logan is the leading rugby league nursery in the nation and has one of the largest populations of people of New Zealand and Pacific Island descent outside of Auckland," he said. "The Warriors are known for their strong community connections and supporting development opportunities for young people, which are values we love here in Logan." Some of the greatest rugby league players to lace a boot have come out of Logan and now the Warriors are in prime position to snare the next crop. The fourth-placed Warriors will establish a training academy and community program in the city in Brisbane's south to offer an elite training and identification program and assist young people connect with sport and find career paths outside of footy. Cameron Smith, Lote Tuqiri, Corey Parker, Brad Meyers, Josh Papalii and Jaydn Su'A are just a taste of the elite stars to have been produced by the Logan Brothers junior powerhouse club alone. The Warriors have watched on as a suite of their best junior players joined Australian-based clubs on scholarships and moved into elite development systems. The great Benji Marshall was a trailblazer who attended league powerhouse Keebra Park High on the Gold Coast as a youth before moving into the Wests Tigers system. His move inspired a suite of players from New Zealand to follow suit and most of them were snapped up by NSW or Queensland-based clubs. The new academy at Logan will help reverse that trend and with the huge number of New Zealand-born migrants in southeast Queensland will give them great access to elite youth, not just from Pacific nations but also local talent. Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club would establish permanent staff in Logan to work closely with the community and find the talent that has proven to be abundant. "Logan is a nursery. It is a rugby league hot-bed," George said. "It is a strategic move, absolutely, but we have been offered opportunities on the eastern seaboard before but never taken them up. "The most important thing for us is to build better families and generations to come and when we came here and saw the Kiwi population that does live here there are plenty of fans here. The question I asked myself was: Why not? "We have 12 academies in New Zealand doing really well but that shouldn't preclude us from coming to Australia where we have a great connection with a huge fan base that grows all the time. "If we can make kids become the best version of themselves as possible we will be proud. If we can get two or three footballers out of here, boys or girls, we will be happy and extremely proud." George said the elite academy for boys and girls in Logan would provide a direct pathway to the Warriors NRL and NRLW teams. The Broncos, Gold Coast and most recently Dolphins have been in the best position to source juniors from their near neighbour Logan but now the Warriors are set to be a force. The partnership with Logan City Council is one that Mayor Jon Raven said should fit hand in glove. "Logan is the leading rugby league nursery in the nation and has one of the largest populations of people of New Zealand and Pacific Island descent outside of Auckland," he said. "The Warriors are known for their strong community connections and supporting development opportunities for young people, which are values we love here in Logan."