Brad Fittler pulls out of race to be next Kangaroos coach

NRL great Brad Fittler has pulled out of the race for a prestigious coaching job, leaving the role vacant months out from a major series.

Matthew Sullivan

2 min read

June 30, 2025 - 8:07PM

Brad Fittler has pulled out of the race to be the next coach of the Australian Kangaroos.

The NRL great had been seen as the favourite to be appointed the Kangaroos coach after Mal Meninga stepped down from the role to become the new coach of the Perth Bears.

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Fittler won two premiership during his career and is one of rugby league’s greatest representative players with 31 caps for NSW and 38 appearances for the Kangaroos.

He coached the Prime Minister’s XIII against PNG last year.

But on Monday the 43-year-old said he wouldn’t be putting his hand up to be the next Kangaroos coach, opting to focus on his media and commentary roles with Channel 9.

“There was an opportunity there, I’m very grateful for them thinking about me, but I think just in the situation I’m in at the moment, my commitments to Channel 9, I work for the NRL, I’m really enjoying that,” Fittler told 2GB.

“When the role came about and I just started to think about it and start planning that this is maybe for someone else at the moment.

Brad Fittler won’t be the next coach of the Kangaroos. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

“It was an incredible opportunity, but I also didn’t think I could do it justice. That’s why I didn’t want to commit to it.

“But what an incredible opportunity for someone. I think it’s someone with a bit of time. They need to get hotels, grounds, training fields, equipment, everything - it’s a big job ahead, but what an awesome experience it is going to be, three Tests over in England.”

Fittler is choosing to focus on his media career for now. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Fittler said his previous experience of juggling his media duties while being NSW Blues coach played a part in his decision.

“I won’t say I won’t ever do it again in the future. I always found even when I was commentating while I coached the Origin team, it makes it a bit uncomfortable when you’re talking about players and then you have to pick players,” he said.

“I just thought that got a bit muddy at stages and wore on my conscience at times.”

Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith and former Broncos coach Kevin Walters are now the leading candidates to be appointed Kangaroos coach.

The Kangaroos won the last Rugby League World Cup under Meninga and they will have a new coach for the postseason tour of England for the Rugby League Ashes, which is being held for the first time since 2003.