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Live sport on SN this weekend'That passion': Walters keen to keep coaching Kangaroos
Joel Gould, AAP •  November 15th, 2026 7:02 am
Kevin Walters is loving coaching Australia and is keen to continue while St Helens mentor as well | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Kevin Walters is keen to coach Australia beyond the World Cup final and talks with ARLC chairman Peter V'landys are set to follow the showdown with New Zealand.
Walters was asked in his pre-match press conference about whether Sunday's final at Suncorp Stadium would be his last hurrah as Kangaroos coach.
"We'll worry about that after the game. We'll have a chat about that," he said.
"My big focus is on getting these guys ready to play, and I feel like they're ready to go."
Kevin Walters will soon be heading to the Super League after enjoying another World Cup experience | Photo: Darren England/AAP
The ARLC has had a policy in recent years that NRL club coaches cannot coach representative teams, which ruled out the likes of South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett from getting the job as Kangaroos mentor.
Walters inked a two-year extension as Australia coach until the end of 2028 earlier this year but will join St Helens as head coach in the Super League.
He will make the move a week after the Cup final but the Saints are not an NRL club and the conflict of interest that can eventuate for a club coach in the NRL would not appear to be such an issue.
AAP understands that Walters wants to continue and that V'landys has been happy with him.
The results have gone to plan for Kevin Walters so far this World Cup, with the final now the focus | Photo: Darren England/AAP
The 1992 World Cup winner with Australia certainly enjoys coaching the current group after mentoring them in last year's 3-0 Ashes series win.
"I'm just really privileged to work with these guys," Walters said.
"They've been so good throughout the tournament with their attitude, their training levels, their standards. It's been really great to work with them."
Walters has been well received by the players, who are aware of his magic play in the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium that won Australia a late and hard-fought 10-6 win.
Trailing 6-4 late in the match, Walters came off the bench and came up with a massive play when he threw one of his famous "out-balls" for centre Steve Renouf to score out wide.
Tom Dearden (right) says he has thrived in this World Cup while being coached by Kevin Walters | Photo: Darren England/AAP
Kangaroos half Tom Dearden was asked if Walters' big play in a big game in 1992 had lessons for today.
"For sure. I think it's just the mentality and attitude around playing. Kevvie always backed himself, he was a competitor, and I think that's what he instils in us halves and us players playing for him – just backing yourself," Dearden said.
"You've done all the hard work and the job is just to get out there and play with all the confidence in the world."
Dearden was full of praise for Walters as a coach.
"I think Kevvie just does such a great job of bringing the history of the Kangaroos into camp. He's always telling stories and he has that passion about playing for Australia," Dearden said.
"I think just the way he brings the group together and resonates with everyone ... that just filters throughout the whole team. Everyone loves playing for Kevvie."
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