NRL 2020: Johnathan Thurston calls for Kevin Walters to be handed Broncos job over Paul Green

Johnathan Thurston won a premiership at the Cowboys with Paul Green, but the Cowboys champion has sensationally anointed Kevin Walters as the man to save the Broncos.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters is seen speaking to media during a press conference at Rugby League Central Queensland offices, Brisbane, Monday, July 1, 2019. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

Queensland Origin champion Johnathan Thurston has anointed Kevin Walters as the man to save the Broncos - controversially overlooking his former Cowboys coach Paul Green.

As the Broncos board launches a search for their next coach, one of the NRL’s most revered figures - future Immortal Thurston - has urged Brisbane bosses to choose Walters over Green.

Thurston‘s assessment is compelling because the former Cowboys playmaker teamed with Green to deliver North Queensland’s maiden premiership in their history-making season in 2015.

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Johnathan Thurston says Kevin Walters is the ideal man to lead the Broncos.

Green has confirmed he will formally apply for the Broncos job following his departure from the Cowboys six weeks ago.

Thurston has enormous respect for Green and his coaching ability, but he believes Walters‘ understanding of the Broncos’ culture and ability to harmonise the club with Broncos fans makes him the standout choice.

“Kevvie has a strong connection to that club (the Broncos), he won six premierships (as a player) ... that’s his coaching resume put right there,” Channel Nine commentator Thurston told the network.

“He has a connection to the city as well, the sponsors and the fans.

“I think the Broncos are starting to see cracks in the club with their fans and Kevvie is man who can bring it all together and be the successful club they were in the 1990s.”

Thurston played the final four games of his Origin career with Kevin Walters as his coach.

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Thurston has first-hand experience working with Walters.

He played the final four games of his decorated Queensland Origin career with Walters as his coach and he says the Maroons mentor can restore the Broncos‘ glory days with the right coaching unit around him.

“He has got a great football brain,” Thurston said.

“Tactically he goes good, he will need some strong assistants around him to drive what he wants out of the club and the playing group as well.”

Walters, a 241-game Brisbane icon who played 12 seasons at the club, told News Corp the incessant ridiculing of the Broncos‘ brand has only steeled his desire to want to make a difference at Queensland’s sporting flagship.

“I‘m over everyone bagging the Broncos,” Walters said.

“It’s breaking my heart.

JT says Walters might be a better fit at the Broncos than Green.

“I go to Sydney for media work with Fox Sports and I listen to people in the streets making a mockery of the club.

“They are having a field day with the club I love.

“I don’t like seeing the Broncos become a laughing stock. It upsets me. This is not the club we are.

“I think I‘m the answer to turn things around because I understand the Broncos, I understand the culture of the club and I am a winner. I have a history of winning premierships.”