Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos appointment torn to shreds as contract detail says it all

A detail in Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos contract suggests not even the people who appointed him believe he is going to succeed in the top job.

After being unveiled as the new Kangaroos coach, Kevin Walters has a big task ahead of him; first to convince a trio of stars to stay loyal and then potentially an even tougher battle in keeping his job.

Earlier this week, Walters was appointed by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) to replace Mal Meninga as Australia’s next coach on a short term deal.

The three-game contract that covers the upcoming Ashes series against England at the end of this year suggests even the ARLC aren’t confident he is the right man for the job.

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But first cab off the rank is to try and hold onto several Aussie stars.

On Wednesday, six-time Kangaroo representative Greg Alexander raised genuine concerns over whether Walters is the man to convince the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to stay loyal to the green and gold instead of switching to Toa Samoa for the Pacific Championships.

“What if he can’t get them on the plane?” Alexander asked Corey Parker on SEN.

“Just think about how many (Australian) players didn’t play in the Pacific Championships last year, how many went ‘I need a little bit of surgery’ instead?

“The squad might be scattered with some of the best players, but Kev might be taking two or three down the list to fill other spots.”

Kevin Walters has been named the next coach of the Kangaroos but faces a tough task ahead of him. Image: Getty

Parker agreed. “I know there are more than capable props, but if you pull Payne Haas and big Tino out of the front row, they’re two of the leading props in the entire game,” Parker said. 

“We also know Mitch Barnett is gone for the rest of the season with an ACL, Val Holmes is gone, and Latrell Mitchell is leaning against it (selection) given his injury situation.

“There’s going to be a lot of players unavailable, which makes the task even more challenging for Kevvie.”

Walters is understood not to have been the first choice for the Australian job either, with Brad Fittler turning the role down.

He also wasn’t the second choice with Wayne Bennett reportedly preferred to Walters, but the current coaching rules didn’t allow it.

Brad Fittler turned down the chance to become Kangaroos coach. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Because Wayne Bennett is an active NRL coach he was ineligible to lead the Kangaroos. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

And veteran journalist Andrew Webster suggested on the Off The Record Podcast that the appointment of Walters on a three-game deal again adds to the notion that the Australian team is no longer the superpower they once were, and therefore it is no surprise that several stars are considering defecting.

“Kevin Walters is basically the last man standing. The fact they have only given him three games shows their lack of faith,” Webster said.

“It could be a very tough tour (with stars such as Hammer, Payne and Tino potentially not there). That’s why I wish they made a better decision with the coach.”

“Hammer, Payne and Tino. … The Kangaroos used to be like the Harlem Globetrotters. But it’s a different time now, and they are no longer the superpower that they were, and that’s something Kevvie will have to deal with.”

The ARLC handed Walters only a three-game deal, which will just cover the upcoming UK Tour.

But the short-term deal suggests not even they are confident the Queenslander is the right man for the job.

Cameron Smith is reportedly seen as the long-term Kangaroos coach. Picture: Jonathan Ng

And Nine journalist Michael Chammas revealed talks with Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith about a possible transition into the Kangaroos head coach role are already underway.

Smith’s link to the Kangaroos’ top job would further explain Walters’ short term appointment.

“My understanding is Peter V’landys spoke to Cameron Smith a few days ago and told him we’re going to go with Kevvie,” Chammas said on The Journos podcast.

“When Peter V’landys spoke to Cameron Smith, he brought up the assistant coach’s role and said he would like to transition him into the head coach down the track as early as the 2027 World Cup.

“The three-match contract tells me that they’re not completely sold that Kevvie is the right man, and in the end, there weren’t many people that fit his criteria.”

The Kangaroos are scheduled to leave for the UK just two weeks after the NRL grand final on October 5.

Originally published as Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos appointment torn to shreds as contract detail says it all