Kevin Walters wins race to coach Australian Kangaroos after signing a three-game contract

Ex-Broncos mentor Kevin Walters will formally replace Mal Meninga as Australian coach for the end of year Ashes series, with the initial deal lasting just three games.

Ex-Broncos and Maroons coach Kevin Walters will be announced as the next Australian coach as early as this week.

Walters will formally replace Mal Meninga as Australian coach for the end of year Ashes series. It is understood the deal is just for the three-game series.

Walters would be in the box seat to retain the job ahead of a World Cup on home soil provided Australia have a good series against England.

Australia have been on the look-out for a new mentor since Meninga was forced to stand-down from the position after agreeing to coach the newly formed Perth Bears team.

Former NSW coach Brad Fittler was considered the front-runner for the position before he opted to pull out of the race.

Walters – who coached at the Broncos last season – has won the race to replace Meninga after a host of other candidates put their hand up for the prestigious position.

Coach Kevin Walters, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

The ARL Commission considered allowing club coaches to pursue the job but opted against changing the rule at a meeting before Origin III.

The decision ruled out the likes of Wayne Bennett who wanted to make a return as Australian coach.

Instead the position will go to Walters who has spent this season working for Fox League after being axed as Brisbane coach at the end of last year.

Walters coached Brisbane to a grand final and also had success at Origin level – winning his first two series as Queensland coach.

It would rule Walters out of pursuing any potential coaching jobs next season including the Titans who are expected to part ways with Des Hasler at the end of season.

Walters played 12 Tests for Australia and joins a rare group of people to have played and coached the national side.

Kangaroos great Kevin Walters (ball) playing a tour game against Halifax in 1990. Picture: Steve Moorhouse

Walters was tightlipped on the Australian job when quizzed about his potential appointment on Fox League on Sunday afternoon, saying only that a decision was imminent.

“I can’t tell you anything - there will be a decision made tomorrow,’ Walters said.

“I am being honest with you - there will be a decision made tomorrow. So just wait and see. Look obviously I would be very privileged and grateful to get the opportunity to coach Australia.

“As you know …. It is a privilege to put the green and gold on, to coach the side even more. So we’ll see what happens tomorrow and we’ll get the decision.”

Walters was more expansive when he recently spoke about the role on Triple M, conceding it would be a dream to caoch the national side.

Cameron Smith (right) could join Walters as an assistant. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

“One of my goals, one of my dreams was to coach Queensland,” he said. “(One was to) coach in the NRL secondly and the third one and probably the biggest goal was to one day maybe coach Australia which was a dream and (I was) not thinking more about it at the time.

“It would be a huge honour to coach Australia. I’d certainly like to sit down with people and have a chat about what the situation is and what they are looking for…I’d be very interested in that role.”

Former Storm captain Cameron Smith has been mentioned as a potential assistant.

Australia play England on October 25 at Wembley Stadium before taking on England in Liverpool and Leeds.