Queensland coach Kevin Walters defends the “Coach Whisperer” and his methods

Kevin Walters has stood by the controversial “Coach Whisperer” as the Queensland coach spoke for the final time before State of Origin I.

• GOT HIM: How Queensland really snagged GI

• STATUE: Langer monument unveiled

Queensland coach Kevin Walters has defended his use of the “Coach Whisperer” and has backed his methods to deliver victory in Origin I, declaring: “I haven’t lost the plot”.

Walters has come under fire even from sections of the Queensland Rugby League for hiring Bradley Charles Stubbs, a self-appointed Coach Whisperer and mind coach who charges $5500 an hour for his services.

As part of Stubbs’ teachings, he instructs coaches not to refer to the opposition - prompting Walters to gag his Maroons players from talking about NSW in the lead-up to the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Speaking for the first time about his association with the mysterious Stubbs, who also works with Roosters coach Trent Robinson, Walters hit back at suggestions he was not being true to himself.

Walters use of Stubbs has come under fire. AAP Image/Glenn Hunt.

“No, I haven’t lost the plot. My wife thinks I have sometimes,” Walters said.

“It is not an act.

“You guys know me well enough. I’m Kevvie Walters, mate.

“Have I got energy? Always.

“I am not this bloke who has sat in the corner and all of a sudden come out and, ‘Wow, look at him’. I’ve been like this all my life. Being around these players gives you energy and you have to have that energy, purpose and drive for us to be successful.

“We will be successful.”

Walters said Stubbs, who recently revealed he twice spent time in a mental-health clinic in the 1980s following a car accident, has had a positive effect on the Maroons.

But the Queensland coach said Stubbs was only a small cog in the Maroons’ plans to reclaim Origin supremacy from the Blues.

“He has been good for us,” Walters said of the Coach Whisperer, who helped Michael Maguire in Souths’ premiership year of 2014.

Walters will coach his fourth Origin series. AAP Image/Dan Peled.

“He has a good history and a great record working with coaches, it’s been great for us.”

Pressed on what Stubbs has offered, Walters said: “Again, I am here to talk about this Queensland team.

“Lots of people have said different things throughout the week, so they tell me, but my focus has been on this Queensland team and how we get that up to a level we know we can get the job done tomorrow night.

“We’ve had different influences throughout the week with Johnathan Thurston coming into camp. Billy Slater spent some time with us imparting his knowledge to this young Queensland team. Petero Civoniceva has been around the team. Justin Hodges is now on the coaching staff, all these great Queensland players imparting their knowledge onto this Queensland team.

“It has been absolutely fantastic.”

Walters said he had no regrets about his Blues Ban.

Walters has banned his players from mention New South Wales. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“No, that’s been a part of everyone’s plans in the history of the game,” he said.

“It’s about focusing on what we can do as a team and what our players can do, we have some great players in our side who can do good things.

“We have a tough, physical side and I probably took a leaf out of Wayne Bennett’s book more than anything.

“He coached us for 15 years and we didn’t speak a lot about the opposition, it was about getting your own players right and your own team right.

“And that will look after itself and that has been the case for us this week.

“We’re not reinventing the wheel, that’s how rugby league has been.

Queensland are slight outsiders for Wednesday night. AAP Image/Glenn Hunt.

Walters said there were no late changes with halfback Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle) passed fit to captain the Maroons. The Queensland coach also backed Ben Hunt to handle a possible 80-minute stint at hooker.

“At this stage we will go as per program,” he said.

“We picked a starting 13 to go out and do the job in the opening exchanges and then we have got some excellent players to come on and relieve those players if and when they get fatigue.

“Guys like Dylan Napa, Joe Ofahengaue and David Fifita coming off the bench ... whoa, come on ... how good is that for Queensland.

“We expect Hunt to play the 80 minutes. That is our game plan. You know what sort of character Ben Hunt is. He thrives in this arena. We haven’t seen the best of Ben Hunt at Origin level. I think he is in the position that suits Origin, the number nine. That will be for everyone to see tomorrow night.”

Originally published as Queensland coach Kevin Walters defends the “Coach Whisperer” and his methods