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Walters to coach Kangaroos with surprise contract twist
Sam Kosack • July 20th, 2025 7:15 pm
Former Brisbane Broncos and Queensland coach Kevin Walters will be the new Australian Kangaroos coach for the end-of-year Ashes Tour.
Walters has signed a surprise three-game contract to coach Australia on their first Ashes tour of England since 2003, as reported by Michael Carayannis and Brent Read, meaning he isn't guaranteed to remain coach for the upcoming World Cup but would be the frontrunner.
The ARLC have been on the hunt for a new coach since Mal Meninga stepped down from the role to become the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears.
Walters was in a race with former NSW coach Brad Fittler and Storm great Cameron Smith to fill the top job, but won out over Smith after Fittler pulled out of the race.
Smith could still appear in the Kangaroos coaching structure as an assistant coach.
Walters last coached in 2024 at the Brisbane Broncos where he was dismissed just 12 months after making a grand final and narrowly going down to the Penrith Panthers.
Michael Carayannis explained on SEN 1170 Breakfast on Friday that he expected Walters to win out over Smith due to his prior coaching experience.
“With respect to Cam, I think they want someone who has coached at a representative level and had success at the NRL level,” Carayannis explained.
“I think that is part of the prerequisite, rightly or wrongly, that’s what they are looking for.
“So, if you break it down, who really is out there aside from Kevie that fits that?
“He seems like the logical solution, considering they want to go down the path of having a club coach.”
Walters played 12 tests for Australia and has previously explained his dream was to one day coach the Kangaroos.
“Probably the biggest goal (I had) was to one day maybe coach Australia which was a dream and (I was) not thinking more about it at the time,” Walters admitted on Triple M when he was rumoured for the role.
“It would be a huge honour to coach Australia. I’d certainly like to sit down with people and have a chat about what the situation is and what they are looking for…I’d be very interested in that role.”
