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Is Walters the right man for Australia ahead of 2026 RLWC?
SEN • November 6th, 2025 10:02 pm
Scott Woodward (aka The Analyst) believes that both Australia and England should look at getting new coaches ahead of next year’s Rugby League World Cup.
Both sides, under the coaching of Kevin Walters (Australia) and Shaun Wane (England), are currently contesting the Rugby League Ashes, with Australia having claimed the series with a game to spare.
With Walters only being contracted till the end of the series and Wane’s contract being reported to finish at the end of 2025, when the World Cup was initially planned to take place, both have been under pressure this series to give themselves the best chance to remain in charge for the 2026 RLWC, which will be played in Australia.
But while Walters has managed to remain undefeated in the two games he has been in charge, Woodward believes that the ARLC should look at appointing Craig Bellamy, if he were not to re-sign with the Melbourne Storm after the 2026 season.
“If the powers that be are serious about the international game, they have an obligation to pick the best coaches available for the 2026 World Cup,” he said on SEN’s Afternoons with Jimmy Smith.
“For Australia, there’s no head coach signed for 2026, and when Craig Bellamy becomes available, there’s no question that he is the best-qualified coach in the game.
“It’s not even close.”
While for England, Woodward thinks that England should be making an approach to Michael Maguire, considering his success at all levels of Rugby League.
“Shaun Wane said he’s committed to the job, but he doesn’t have a World Cup contract,” he added.
“And a lot of English journalists are calling for his head, as we see in today’s press.
“If England were smart, they would move for Michael Maguire.
“Given his record with Wigan, South Sydney, New Zealand, New South Wales and now the Broncos, there’s arguably no one better to transform the current England side.
“As it happens, Madge will be in the UK in the new year for the World Club Challenge when the Broncos take on Hull Kingston Rovers.
“If we want the World Cup to mean something, the right people need to be in charge, and right now Australia and England are underperforming.”
Neither Bellamy nor Maguire has been approached by either governing body. Both countries will likely wait until after the Ashes to confirm who their coach will be for the RLWC.
The two sides will play each other once again on Sunday, with the third Ashes match taking place at AMT Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
Kick-off takes place at 1:30am AEDT.
