Walters poised to become national rugby league coach
The former Queensland and Brisbane mentor is poised to take charge of the Kangaroos for Australia's first Ashes tour in 22 years after the NRL season concludes.
Walters was tight-lipped when quizzed about his link to the vacant role on Sunday, but expected an announcement to be made imminently.
"I can't tell you anything. There'll be a decision made tomorrow," the former multi-premiership winning player said on Fox League's NRL coverage.
"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."
The Australian Rugby League Commission has been on the hunt for a new Kangaroos boss since Mal Meninga stepped down to join expansion side the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027.
Replacement options had been thin on the ground given ARLC rules prevent active club coaches from taking the role.
That precluded South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett from contention despite his interest, with Walters rocketing into the frame once favourite Brad Fittler pulled out to focus on his media duties.
Cameron Smith, one of the greatest players of the modern era, had flagged his interest but is untested as a professional head coach.
Walters coached Brisbane to the 2023 grand final, which the Broncos narrowly lost after a Penrith comeback, and was fired a year later after the side missed the 2024 finals.
Prior to that, Walters led Queensland to victory in two of four State of Origin series as coach.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Struggling Wales hire Tandy as new head coach
Wales appointed Steve Tandy as their head coach on Monday, with the former Scotland assistant facing a major rebuilding job after his new team's record-setting decline. Tandy is tasked with reviving Wales' fortunes in time for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Wales were on a record 18-match losing run before finally ending that dismal streak on July 12 with a 31-22 victory over Japan in Kobe. Tandy will become the permanent successor to Warren Gatland on September 1 following almost six years as Scotland's defence coach. The 45-year-old Welshman's first match in charge will be on November 9 against Argentina in Cardiff. Wales also face Japan, New Zealand and world champions South Africa in the November internationals. "Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege," Tandy said. "I am looking forward to playing a role in the rebuilding phase of Welsh rugby and taking the national team back to competing with the best countries in the world. "I am excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have." Tandy was head coach of Ospreys between 2012 and 2018, which included winning the PRO12 title in his first season, before serving as defence coach for Australian side the Waratahs. The former flanker was also part of Gatland's backroom staff for the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa in 2021. Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney said: "This is a keystone appointment for us. Steve fits the bill in terms of the affinity he will be able to create with a young group of players with huge potential, but also the galvanising effect we know he can have on the whole rugby ecosystem as a proud Welshman." Gatland's second spell as Wales boss ended in February after a 22-15 defeat to Italy in the second round of the Six Nations. Matt Sherratt took over on a temporary basis and oversaw defeats by Ireland, Scotland and England before leading the two-match tour of Japan, which began on July 5 with a 24-19 loss in Kitakyushu before the losing streak was broken a week later. smg/lp
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ben Simmons Has Played Just 108 Games And Earned $1.36 Million Per Appearance Over The Last 4 Years
Ben Simmons Has Played Just 108 Games And Earned $1.36 Million Per Appearance Over The Last 4 Years originally appeared on Fadeaway World. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made headlines with a historic $285 million extension that will see him earn nearly $1 million per game by 2030, another former All-Star's name is trending for the opposite reason: Ben Simmons. Once hailed as the next great two-way star, Simmons' fall from grace has become one of the most staggering declines in recent NBA history. Over the last four years, the Australian point-forward has appeared in just 108 games but earned over $148 million in that span, amounting to a jaw-dropping $1.36 million per appearance. Here's a year-by-year breakdown of Simmons' earnings and game count: 2021–22: 0 games played - $34 million earned 2022–23: 42 games played - $35.4 million earned 2023–24: 15 games played - $37.8 million earned 2024–25: 51 games played - $40.3 million earned Total: 108 games - $147.5 million earned This isn't a tale of a role player riding the bench. Simmons was once an elite defender and high-IQ playmaker, a 6'10' point guard with the vision of Magic Johnson and the body of a modern big. A three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive First Team member, and 2019-20 All-NBA selection, Simmons earned his $177 million extension from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. At that time, he was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and arguably one of the most valuable transition threats in the league. But the downfall came fast and hard. Following a disastrous 2021 playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, where he infamously passed up an open dunk in crunch time, Simmons sat out the entire 2021-22 season due to mental health and back issues. The Nets traded for him, believing he'd eventually return to form, but that optimism never paid off. What followed were seasons plagued by injuries, questionable effort, and underwhelming performances. His once-elite perimeter defense waned. His reluctance to shoot, particularly from outside the paint, became more glaring. And now, in the summer of 2025, Simmons remains a free agent with no takers. Simmons is reportedly seeking more than a league-minimum contract, but even that is proving a hard sell. While his size and defensive instincts still intrigue some teams, his health remains a red flag. His offensive limitations, including an unwillingness to even attempt jump shots, make him a tough fit in today's pace-and-space game. Meanwhile, players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are redefining the modern superstar. Shai just led the Thunder to their first-ever NBA title, won the MVP, scoring title, and both playoff MVP awards, and was rewarded with a deal that will pay him $78.8 million in the 2030–31 season alone. That's nearly $1 million every game. Simmons' career earnings will remain a cautionary tale, a player who once had all the tools but couldn't stay healthy or evolve. The NBA pays for production. And in Simmons' case, it paid for potential that never fully story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Monster Energy's Arisa Trew Takes First Place in Women's Skateboard Vert and Best Trick at Tony Hawk's Vert Alert 2025 in Salt Lake City
15-Year-Old Arisa Trew from Palm Beach, Australia, Wins Iconic Competition Third Consecutive Time 14-Year-Old Monster Army Rider Egoitz Bijueska from Spain Takes 3rd Place in Men's Competition SALT LAKE CITY, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arisa does it again! Monster Energy congratulates team rider Arisa Trew on claiming first place in Women's Skateboard Vert at Tony Hawk's Vert Alert for the third consecutive time. In the annual halfpipe skateboarding contest hosted by skateboard icon Tony Hawk inside Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, the 15-year-old from Palm Beach, Australia, also secured the victory in the Women's Skateboard Vert Best Trick event. In the Men's Skateboard Vert final, 14-year-old Monster Army team rider Egoitz Bijueska from Bilbao, Spain, claimed third place in an elite field of competitors. From July 18-19, Tony Hawk's Vert Alert brought the world's best vertical skateboarders to Jon M. Huntsman Center at the University of Utah. Now in its fifth year, the grassroots event presented by the Utah Sports Commission featured competitions in Skateboard Vert and Best Trick. On Friday night, the crowd enjoyed a Skateboard Legends demo featuring trailblazers of the sport such as Christian Hosoi, Andy Macdonald, and event host Tony Hawk. In the Women's Skateboard Vert event on Saturday, eight finalists competed in a 25-minute jam session judged on best overall impression. Monster Energy's Trew dropped in as the top qualifier from Friday's semifinals, as well as the two-time defending champion in Skateboard Vert. Could the Australian skateboard phenomenon earn a threepeat victory? Heading into the final fully focused, Trew worked the large vertical ramp with a deep bag of tricks. In one of several perfect runs of the final, Trew strung together backside method air, alley-oop McTwist, body varial 540 melon, frontside bigspin varial over the channel, backside 540 melon, backside judo air, Madonna, kickflip Indy, frontside nosebone, Indy 360, switch McTwist, air to fakie, frontside Caballerial stalefish, frontside crooked fakie, and switch frontside rock. Trew also landed technical standouts, such as frontside rodeo 540, kickflip Indy fakie, and frontside Caballerial lien to tail, to raise the bar. When all was said and done, the judges named Trew the winner of the 2025 edition of Tony Hawk's Vert Alert and $10,000 in prize money. "It's really good, and I'm happy with how I skated today. It's just super cool being up here with a bunch of really good girls," said Monster Energy's Trew upon winning Tony Hawk's Vert Alert for the third consecutive time. Following her victory, Trew also dominated the Women's Best Trick event, which she already won at Tony Hawk's Vert Alert 2024. The trick that scored the win is a signature move: A perfectly executed switch McTwist, a trick pioneered by Tony Hawk and mastered by Trew as the only woman on the circuit, earned her the repeat victory and $1,000 in prize money. Recognized as a pacesetter of the progression in women's vertical skateboarding, Trew has made history as the first female athlete to land tricks including the 900-degree aerial. Trew now owns nine X Games medals, including a record-setting eight gold medals, as well as the gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the heated Men's Skateboard Vert final, 14-year-old Monster Army rider Bijueska from Spain held his own amidst heavy competition. When the 25-minute jam session concluded, judges awarded the young upstart third place and $4,000 in prize money. Standout tricks for Bijueska included huge alley-oop Japan, McTwist melon, alley-oop heelflip Indy, kickflip Indy, McTwist, frontside nosegrind the channel, kickflip body varial Indy, 540 Indy, backside lipslide, Indy 360, and fakie 540 Weddle. Further highlights such as a 540 Indy over the channel, a kickflip varial Indy, and a stalefish McTwist, earned Bijueska a podium finish in his first-ever Tony Hawk's Vert Alert. In the Men's Best Trick event, Bijueska also stoked the crowd in Salt Lake City with a technical backside tailslide shove-it over the vert ramp's wide channel. Now that's how you debut at Tony Hawk's iconic contest! Visit for exclusive updates from the 2025 skateboard season, including photos, videos, and contest results as they happen. Follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. For interview or photo requests, contact Kim Dresser. About Monster EnergyBased in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes, and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at CONTACT: Kim Dresser C: (949) 300-5546 E: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Monster Energy Sign in to access your portfolio
