Latest news with #AshesSeries
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Kevin Walters named Australia Kangaroos rugby league coach
Kevin Walters. Photo: Photosport Kevin Walters has been announced as the new head coach of the Australia Kangaroos for this year's Ashes series in England. Walters, a former premiership player with the Brisbane Broncos and Canberra Raiders, takes over from Mal Mengina, who has been appointed as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears franchise. Current Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner has been extended through the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, but the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) only said Walters had been appointed coach for the 2025 Ashes tour. "The commission is very pleased to confirm Kevin Walters as the Kangaroos coach for this historic series," ARLC chair Peter V'landys said. "As Kangaroo number 612, Walters is very well placed to lead the national team on a historic tour to the UK. "Kevin has played for the Kangaroos, had a successful coaching career with Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, and will bring that expertise into the national team for the Ashes. "Kevin has toured with the Kangaroos as a player, was a leader as a player and as a coach. His coaching pedigree is a natural fit for the national team." Walters played 11 Tests for the Kangaroos and was part of the 1990 and 1994 tours of Great Britain and France. "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." Walters was the coach of the Broncos from 2021 to 2024, leading the club to a grand final appearance in 2023 before being sacked the following year as the side slumped to 12th with a 10-14 win-loss record. Walters also coached Queensland in four State of Origin series from 2016-2019, winning two series. The Jillaroos travelled to Las Vegas in March and beat England 90-4 in their only match under Skinner, who took over from Brad Donald after a successful but turbulent tenure with the national women's team. "I've really enjoyed the chance to coach at this level, so to be given the opportunity to coach the Jillaroos through the 2026 World Cup is incredibly exciting," she said. "The women's game is experiencing continued and significant growth, so to be part of the journey at this level is a real honour." -ABC
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kevin Walters will coach the Kangaroos in three matches against England after replacing Mal Meninga
Former Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters called it an ' honour and a privilege' after being handed the reins of the Australian team for this year's three-test tour of England. Walters replaced Mal Meninga, who quit the post to take charge of the NRL's new Perth franchise and Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys said he was 'well placed' to deliver a series win. Having played 11 Test matches for the Kangaroos and been part of the 1990 and 1994 Kangaroo Tours, Walters has three matches to press his claims to take on the gig full-time. '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,' he said. '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.' He was chosen ahead of Storm and Queensland legend Cameron Smith, who could yet assume full-time duties in 2026 should the ARLC decide on a change after the Ashes. ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys AM said he was pleased to confirm two highly-respected and talented people to guide the Australian national teams. 'The Commission is very pleased to confirm Kevin Walters as the Kangaroos coach for this historic series,' Mr V'landys said. 'As Kangaroo number 612, Walters is very well placed to lead the national team on a historic tour to the UK. 'Kevin has played for the Kangaroos, had a successful coaching career with Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, and will bring that expertise into the national team for the Ashes. 'Kevin has toured with the Kangaroos as a player, was a leader as a player and as a coach. His coaching pedigree is a natural fit for the national team. The ARLC also extended the tenure of current Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner through the 2026 World Cup. 'Jess Skinner had significant success in her first outing as Jillaroos coach in Las Vegas earlier this year,' V'Landys said. . 'Jess has progressed through the coaching pathways and is a fantastic choice to lead Australia's most prolific national women's team until the end of the World Cup.' The Ashes Tour will include Test matches at Wembley Stadium (October 25), Everton Stadium (November 1) and Headingley (November 8), while the Jillaroos will compete for the Pacific Championships in October this year.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cameron Smith lifts lid on potential role alongside Kevin Walters after losing out
NRL legend Cameron Smith has revealed he could be open to an assistant role for the Australian national side after losing out on the top job to Kevin Walters. The Kangaroos are soon to name a coach to lead the nation against England in a three-match Ashes series taking place the first time since 2003. The first Test against England gets underway at London's Wembley Stadium on October 25. This week it emerged Walters is to be confirmed for the role with the incoming coach winning the position over Melbourne Storm and Queensland great Smith. NRL legend Brad Fittler was considered a favourite for the role, but withdrew from the race due to his media commitments with Channel Nine. And Smith has revealed on 100% Footy he received a phone call from Peter V'Landys telling him Walters had got the job. "I think Kev will do a great job, I was luckily enough to be coached by Kev...I think he will do a really good job," Smith said on Monday night. "I had a phone call from Peter V'Landys a couple of days ago. There was no formal discussion around me being the coach. There was no gave me a phone call just to let me know that the decision was made they are going to go with Kev. I am happy with that decision, I respect that decision. If I had a chance to put my case forward, I would have...I think it's a great appointment." Smith is considered one of the best minds in the NRL, but one of the factors that appeared to work against him is he has no experience as a head coach. He previously worked as an assistant to Billy Slater with the Queensland State of Origin team. His knowledge of the game and experience as the Kangaroos captain is what led him to being an attractive candidate for the role. And Smith revealed an assistant role was brought mentioned in the phone call. "Well that was mentioned in the phone call. That could be possibly something to look I haven't had any further discussions with Peter, with Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," Smith added. While Smith revealed an assistant coaching role was a potential avenue back into the fold, it would most likely be up to Walters on who serves on his team. Regardless, Smith was thrilled with Walters' appointment, even if it was on a reported short deal. Kevin Walters preferred to Cameron Smith for Kangaroos job The former Broncos coach has won two State of Origin series in charge of the Maroons and led Brisbane to the 2023 NRL grand final, before being replaced by Michael Maguire after a poor season last year. News Corp reports that Walters has won the race to replace Mal Meninga as Australia's next coach, but only on a three-game deal that will see him lead the Kangaroos in the end of year Ashes series against England. If the Kangaroos enjoy a winning three-Test series against England and play some attractive footy in their first Ashes tour in 22 years, there's every chance Walters keeps the job for the home World Cup next year. The concern for some in the rugby league community is Australia is a few months out from the resurrected Ashes series with England that starts in October and there has no been no formal announcement of a coach. While an announcement is imminent, selection and plans need to be laid out for the historic series. Australia and England have not taken part in an Ashes-style series in 20 years. The Kangaroos have won a record 13 consecutive Ashes series.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘You can see how much it means to him': Kangaroos skipper endorses Kevin Walters to take over as the next coach of the national side
Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo is too young to remember much about Kevin Walters as a player, but he can't wait to be coached by the Broncos legend, who is expected to be announced as the Australian coach for this year's Ashes series. Walters will replace Mal Meninga, who stepped down to focus on his new role as inaugural coach of the Perth Bears, with Yeo relieved they've settled on someone who can now start planning for the Ashes tour that begins in October. Yeo found out through the media that Walters would be taking over and has endorsed the former Broncos and Maroons coach to lead the national side even though it hasn't been formally announced. '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,' the Golden Boot winner said. '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. 'That was a bit before my time (watching him play), but you hear stories about how good he was. 'You can see how much he meant to the players by talking to the Broncos boys. 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.' Wayne Bennett had been in the mix to take over but was eventually ruled out given he coaches an NRL side, while Immortal-in-waiting Cameron Smith was also in contention after Brad Fittler pulled out of the race. One of the reasons Fittler didn't take the job was because there were only a few months to go until the Tests started and there was still so much planning to do for matches overseas. It's why Yeo is happy that they've gone with someone who has no links to club land, with Walters keeping himself busy with his media work with Fox Sports. 'It helps now with how late it's been because 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,' Yeo said. 'He's been pretty busy, Kev, doing a lot with Fox at the moment, but it certainly helps because he's now got three months to try to figure it out. '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. 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. 'You'd love to be a part of it because of the history behind it and what it means to the English – not just the players – but the fans over there and how passionate they are. I like anything to do with history, so it'd be really cool to be a part of.' Walters played in the 1992 Ashes series and will bring plenty of passion when the rivalry returns after a 22-year hiatus. Yeo doesn't remember much from the 2003 series but is expecting a tight contest just 12 months out from the next World Cup. 'I would have been too young. I do remember getting up and watching England games, but that was really rare and those were really early memories,' he said. 'You hear about the tours and how outstanding they were. We were lucky enough to play a World Cup over there. 'You can feel that England have been building towards this. They had the disappointment of the World Cup, but then they had the Tonga and the Samoa series and they've been building towards something with this group under Shaun Wane. 'You can tell it's going to be a cracking series, and those are the ones you want to be in. Any time you pull on the Australian jersey is the pinnacle of the sport, but to be able to do that in a series like that is awesome.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three-game detail that clouds Kevin Walters' long-term future as Kangaroos coach
Former Brisbane and Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters is poised to become the Kangaroos' next head coach, with an announcement tipped for as early as Monday. News Corp reports that Walters has won the race to replace Mal Meninga as Australia's next coach, but only on a three-game deal that will see him lead the Kangaroos in the end of year Ashes series against England. The Australian Rugby League Commission met recently and decided to uphold a ban on club coaches leading the national side, ruling the likes of veteran South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett out of the running. NRL legend Brad Fittler had also been considered a favourite for the role but withdrew from the race due to his media commitments with Channel Nine. Former Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith was also in contention but the ARLC always appeared to be leaning towards appointing someone with experience as a head coach at the top level, paving the way for Walters' appointment. The former Brisbane coach remained tight-lipped when quizzed about his link to the vacant role on Fox League's NRL coverage on Sunday, but suggested an announcement was imminent "I can't tell you anything. There'll be a decision made tomorrow," the six-time Broncos premiership winner said. "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." Kevin Walters preferred to Cameron Smith for Kangaroos job The ARLC has been on the lookout for someone to replace Meninga as Kangaroos coach, since the World Cup-winning mentor stepped down to join expansion side the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027. But after the Commission voted to uphold the ban on club coaches being able to take the role and Fittler pulled out of the running, it was essentially a two-horse race between Smith and Walters to be handed the reins for Australia's Ashes campaign. Smith is one of the greatest players of the modern era and made it clear that the Kangaroos job is something he would be honoured to take on. But the fact the Storm, Maroons and Kangaroos legend is untested as a professional head coach, left Walters as the logical choice. Kevin Walters set to be handed a short-term Kangaroos deal The former Broncos coach has won two State of Origin series in charge of the Maroons and led Brisbane to the 2023 NRL grand final, before being replaced by Michael Maguire after a poor season last year. However, the fact Walters has reportedly only been handed a short-term deal with the Kangaroos is hardly a glowing endorsement from the ARLC and leaves his future beyond the Ashes series clouded. RELATED: Tigers player escapes charge over tackle that left superstar injured Craig Bellamy flags further absence for Storm star Cameron Munster Latrell moment says it all as Souths cop another season-ending blow If the Kangaroos enjoy a winning three-Test series against England and play some attractive footy in their first Ashes tour in 22 years, there's every chance Walters keeps the job for the home World Cup next year. One thing that is clear though is Walters will be ruled out of any NRL head coaching roles he's been linked with, such as the Gold Coast Titans, who are strongly tipped to part ways with Des Hasler in 2025.
