QRL won’t let Kevin Walters join Gold Coast without a fight

With Gold Coast poised to decide if they’ll pull out all the stops to land Kevin Walters the QRL is planning to offer the Maroons coach a contract extension.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters looks on following their loss in Game 3 of the 2019 State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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The Queensland Rugby League has begun negotiations with Kevin Walters on a contract extension amid speculation the Titans are poised to headhunt the Maroons mentor to rescue the Gold Coast.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Walters has held preliminary talks with QRL chiefs on a two-year upgrade that would see him continue his association with the Queensland Origin side until the end of 2022.

The discussions are only in their infancy, and have not reached a formal stage involving financial terms, but the QRL board would almost certainly give their imprimatur to Walters signing on for a third term.

It can be revealed Walters has a clause in his current QRL contract that he can be released at any time should he wish to coach in the NRL.

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Walters is a man in demand. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

But the QRL is upping the ante and their push to prevent Walters quitting is the latest twist in the narrative surrounding the Queensland coach, who is being heavily linked with the vacant Titans post.

D-Day will arrive on the Gold Coast on Monday when the Titans board convenes to decide on their preferred candidate to succeed Garth Brennan, with the next coach essentially a race-in-two between Walters and Justin Holbrook.

It was widely believed Walters’ move to the Titans in 2020 was a done deal, but the Maroons coach scuppered speculation on Friday night, telling Fox League he is committed to Queensland and his commentary work.

“No, nothing has changed from my end,” Walters said. “I will be coaching the Queensland Maroons next year and I am looking forward to the challenge and every thing that (brings) as well as my excellent work on Fox League.”

Asked whether he or his manager Isaac Moses had been contacted by the Titans, Walters replied: “No, nothing whatsoever.”

While Walters has made it clear he will not chase the Titans, the Gold Coast may pursue him.

Titans culture-and-performance chief Mal Meninga will front the Gold Coast board when he will put forward the names of preferred candidates. The Titans board will then choose their No.1 target and offer them the job.

The Titans have Walters in their sights. AAP Image/Dean Lewins.

If Walters is not formally approached, Holbrook shapes as the standout choice.

The Titans have kept interviews to a bare minimum with Meninga and a Gold Coast subcommittee preferring extensive due diligence.

The research prompted the Titans panel to contact Holbrook, who was interviewed during the week from England where he is coaching Super League leaders St Helens.

Walters’ informal talks with the QRL is a compelling sign he is keen to continue coaching the Maroons after two series wins and two losses from four Origin campaigns.

In the wake of the Maroons’ heartbreaking Origin III loss three weeks ago, QRL chief executive Rob Moore said he did not want to lose Walters to the Titans.

“Kevvie has done a wonderful job,” Moore said.

“Kevvie has had some tough challenges as coach but everything he has done has been exceptional.

“We are a humble group and Kevvie has our full support for next year.”