Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher says Kevin Walters should take over form Wayne Bennett at Brisbane
QUEENSLAND Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher has declared Kevin Walters the ideal successor to Wayne Bennett — even if it means the Maroons losing their coach.
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QUEENSLAND Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher has declared Kevin Walters the ideal successor to Wayne Bennett and is prepared to release the Maroons coach to take charge of the Broncos in 2020.
Broncos chief executive Paul White will ramp-up the search for Bennett’s replacement following the board’s decision not to renew the super coach’s contract beyond next season.
That opens the door for Walters, a five-time premiership-winner and Broncos legend who has made no secret of his desire to launch his NRL coaching career after a patient 10-year wait.
Walters has been Queensland’s Origin coach for the past three seasons, winning two series.
And while Walters is contracted to the QRL until the end of 2020, Hatcher says the Maroons will clear the contractual path if the Broncos identify the 241-game Brisbane icon as the man to succeed Bennett.
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“Kevvie is a very good coach and he is ready for the NRL if the Broncos want him,” Hatcher said.
“I have spoken to Kevvie about this (his NRL coaching future) and already addressed this with him.
“We wouldn’t stand in his way if he was in a position to coach the Broncos or another NRL team.
“Wayne will be at the Broncos in 2019 so if Kevvie did join the Broncos in 2020, we have time to look at alternatives.
“Kevvie is passionate about the Broncos — he would be a great successor to Wayne Bennett.”
Walters quit as Bennett’s Broncos assistant in mysterious circumstances in April, just five months after he returned to the club, claiming he wanted to stay in touch with NRL coaching methods.
Walters said he resigned to focus on his Origin commitments. It is understood he retains strong ties with the club, with CEO White an unabashed supporter of the former Broncos skipper.
Hatcher is reluctant to lose Walters to Queensland’s program, but believes it is impossible to juggle the demands of club and Origin coaching if the Broncos targeted one of their favourite sons.
“We would have a significant dilemma if we let Kevvie go, but the good thing is we will have Kevvie for at least another 12 months,” Hatcher said.
“I just don’t think it’s possible to handle both roles of coaching an NRL team combined with the ups and downs of Origin.
“Kevin has done a wonderful job with Queensland. I have seen him make some really important decisions with personnel changes and the timing of those decisions for the betterment of the Maroons was entirely appropriate.
“If you look at his playing record and his coaching record, he has ticked all the boxes.
“Kevin has been an assistant to Wayne and Craig Bellamy (Storm coach), he has coached in the Queensland Cup and he has coached overseas, so I can’t think of anything more he could do to blood himself.
“If he got the nod after Wayne Bennett (to coach the Broncos), he would be prepared for it.”
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Originally published as Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher says Kevin Walters should take over form Wayne Bennett at Brisbane