Queensland coach Kevin Walters must quit Maroons if he lands Broncos job
Kevin Walters has made no secret about his desire to take over the reins at the Broncos – but doing so would come at a huge coast for the proud Queenslander.
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Kevin Walters will be asked to submit his resignation as Queensland Origin coach if the Brisbane legend clinches his dream job at the Broncos.
The Sunday Mail can reveal Broncos hierarchy are reluctant for Walters to juggle commitments between Brisbane and Queensland’s upcoming Origin campaign if he is formally installed as Anthony Seibold’s successor.
The Broncos board will begin job interviews with prospective candidates this week with a view to naming their new coach by October 15.
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That would give Seibold’s replacement time to map out Brisbane’s new pre-season, slated to start around mid-November, but that time frame puts Walters on a collision course with his Queensland duties.
The State of Origin opener kicks off on November 4 in Adelaide, meaning Walters and Maroons players will enter Camp Maroon around October 27. Origin III will be played at Suncorp Stadium on November 18 in the week the Broncos plan to launch their 2021 fightback campaign.
Given Brisbane’s horror campaign this year, Broncos bosses want their next coach – most likely Walters or Paul Green – to hit the ground running immediately free of disruptions as they preside over one of the most critical pre-seasons in the club’s history.
Walters has already begun planning Queensland’s revenge mission, his fifth series as Maroons coach, but he may not be in charge at Adelaide Oval if the Broncos opt for him over Green.
Given his passion for the Maroons, Walters would be reluctant to destabilise Queensland so close to Origin I, but he faces a take-it-or-leave-it scenario with the Broncos job.
The Queensland Rugby League have contingencies in place with Green or Souths master mentor Wayne Bennett ready to answer an SOS if Walters ascends to the Broncos coaching throne.
Walters is contracted with Queensland until the end of next year, but QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher says Maroons powerbrokers are bracing for the possibility of a compassionate release if the Broncos come knocking.
“I’d love to see Kevin coach Origin regardless of what happens,” Hatcher said.
“I was asked the question, ‘What if the Broncos don’t let him coach Origin?’
“Well we’ve got him contracted until the end of 2021 so we will have to have a mature discussion around that if it was the Broncos‘ attitude (that Walters must stand down).
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“If it (coaching the Broncos) was conditional upon him forgoing the Origin job, which you’d hope it wouldn’t be, we’d have to have a mature discussion.
“Legally, we have him contracted until the end of 2021 and ideally we want him to coach. He’s done all the work. It’s just over a month away.
“If Kevin got the job and he wasn’t able to coach Queensland, then we’ve got back-up plans for that and a couple of candidates.
“Our desire is for Kevin to coach. I’d love to know tomorrow that’s all okay but it’s out of our control.
“We have to have firm plans and hopes that we don’t have to make any plans or changes to the work done this year.”
Originally published as Queensland coach Kevin Walters must quit Maroons if he lands Broncos job