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Walters to coach Australia after Smith overlooked
Joel Gould, AAP • July 23rd, 2025 11:34 am
Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters is thrilled to be picked to lead the Australia rugby league team | Photo: Jason O'BRIEN AAP
Kevin Walters won a World Cup final for Australia with a famous pass as a player and now he gets to coach the Kangaroos on the three-Test tour of England.
Walters has been confirmed by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) as the new Australia coach for the tour of England, but challenges already loom on the horizon.
The 57-year-old replaces new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga with doubt hanging over whether he will have key trio Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on board for the first three-Test Kangaroo tour in 22 years.
The three are considering pledging their allegiance to Samoa for the upcoming Pacific Cup.
Walters coached Queensland to two State of Origin series wins out of four and was at the helm of Brisbane when they reached the 2023 grand final before being sacked at the end of the following year.
His contract with the ARLC is just for the three Tests at the end of season but if successful there is a strong chance he would be retained for next year's World Cup to be hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Ex-Maroons coach Kevin Walters greats fans after a 2019 training session | Photo: Darren England AAP
"It is truly an honour and a privilege to be able to coach the Kangaroos on such a stage," Walters said.
"Playing on a Kangaroos Tour was always a pinnacle as a player, so to be able to lead the best of the best in this environment is very humbling and obviously very exciting.
"This series will be an important step for the growth of international rugby league and for the Kangaroos. I can't wait to get started."
Former NSW coach Brad Fittler turned down the opportunity to replace Meninga while former Kangaroos coach and current South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett was ruled out of contention by the Commission due to his club responsibilities.
Former Australia captain Cameron Smith told 100% Footy on Monday night that despite being interested in the coaching role, he was not given the opportunity to present his case.
He did receive notification from ARLC chairman Peter V'landys that Walters had got the job.
"He gave me a phone call to let me know the decision was made to go with Kev and that was about it," Smith said.
"I'm happy with that decision, I respect that decision.
"If I had an opportunity to put my case forward I would've but the decision was made by the game's hierarchy to go with Kevvie and I think it's a great appointment."
Kevin Walters looks on as Cameron Smith announces his retirement from rep. football in 2018 | Photo: Daniel Pockett AAP
During the conversation Smith said V'landys spoke about a possible assistant role.
"That could be something to look at but I've not had any further discussions with Peter or Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," he said.
Walters played 12 Tests for Australia and was a hero of the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Kangaroos were trailing 6-4 when Walters came off the bench to throw a classic "out ball" to his Brisbane teammate Steve Renouf who scored the match winner in 10-6 win.
Walters was a proven winner as player on his way to six premierships (five with Brisbane, one with Canberra) and 20 State of Origin games for Queensland.
Scott Bailey on Kevvie Walters's coaching chances
