Walters to get short-term trial as Kangaroos coach for Ashes tour, Dragons legend explains reunion snub
Rugby league legend Kevin Walters could possibly be introduced as Australia’s new head coach as quickly as Monday.
The previous Queensland and Brisbane mentor is poised to take cost of the Kangaroos for only a three-match contract to supervise Australia’s first Ashes tour in 22 years after the NRL season concludes.
Walters was tight-lipped when quizzed about his hyperlink to the vacant position on Sunday, however anticipated an announcement to be made imminently.
“I can’t let you know something. There’ll be a call made tomorrow,” the previous multi-premiership profitable participant mentioned on Fox League’s NRL protection.
“We’ll simply wait and see. Clearly I’d be very privileged and grateful to get the chance to educate Australia.
“It’s a privilege to place the inexperienced and gold on and to educate the facet, much more so. We’ll simply see what occurs tomorrow.”
The Australian Rugby League Fee has been on the hunt for a brand new Kangaroos boss since Mal Meninga stepped down to hitch growth facet the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027.
Substitute choices had been skinny on the bottom given ARLC guidelines forestall energetic membership coaches from taking the position.
That precluded South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett from rivalry regardless of his curiosity, with Walters rocketing into the body as soon as favorite Brad Fittler pulled out to give attention to his media duties.
(Picture by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Pictures)
Cameron Smith, one of many best gamers of the fashionable period, had flagged his curiosity however is untested as an expert head coach.
Walters coached Brisbane to the 2023 grand remaining, which the Broncos narrowly misplaced after a Penrith comeback, and was fired a yr later after the facet missed the 2024 finals.
Previous to that, Walters led Queensland to victory in two of 4 State of Origin collection as coach.
Cooper not invited to reunion
Dragons legend Matt Cooper has shed extra mild on why solely 4 gamers from St George Illawarra’s 2010 grand remaining facet bothered exhibiting up for a current reunion at Kogarah.
The premiership-winning centre mentioned he was merely not invited.
Dean Younger, who’s on the teaching workers, and Ben Creagh, a member of the board, had been joined by prop Michael Weyman and winger Jason Nightingale, together with squad member Dan Hunt, who missed the premiership victory over the Roosters as a consequence of harm.
The Dragons had been celebrating their victory over the Roosters earlier than the NRL match towards the identical membership.
Cooper and five-eighth Jamie Soward, who was dumped by the membership as NRLW coach final yr, have been vocal critics of the Dragons lately.
New CEO Tim Watsford claimed some gamers had been unavailable as a result of they had been on holidays and others had been unable to attend as a result of they stay interstate.
“I’ve been away all week, however my telephone has been blowing up continuous concerning the so-called Dragons 15-year grand remaining reunion and why I wasn’t there,” Cooper mentioned on Instagram.
“It’s easy. I by no means obtained invited. That’s why I wasn’t there.
Matt Cooper. (Picture by Matt King/Getty Pictures)
“And it appears to be like like that occurred to plenty of gamers. I believe it was in all probability not an official factor, I believe it was only a spur of the second factor they did.
“Additionally I wish to clear up one thing that lots of people assume. I don’t have points with the membership. I had points with the CEO after I retired and the way I used to be handled and the way it affected my life.
“And I’m at a degree in my life the place I’m at peace with it.
“I actually wish to be a part of the St George Illawarra Dragons. I’m the fourth-highest capped participant of all-time, I maintain plenty of data like most tries scored for the membership and most tries in a sport.
“I sacrificed plenty of issues after I was enjoying for that membership and it’s a disgrace, as a result of I actually wish to be concerned and I believe I may assist.”
He added that he was actually impressed with Watsford’s arrival on the membership and desires the Dragons to be like “the Yankees of the NRL”.
with AAP
