Walters is Broncos’ anointed one
Brent Read1:10PM October 22, 2017
Queensland coach Kevin Walters is returning to the Broncos
Queensland coach Kevin Walters is set to make a storied return to the Broncos in a move that will see one of the club’s prodigal sons juggle his State of Origin commitments with the opportunity to become the long-term successor to Wayne Bennett.
The Australian understands that Walters’ return to the Broncos coaching staff as an assistant to Bennett could be announced as early as tomorrow, helping explain why he opted against pursuing the Gold Coast job when many considered he was the favourite for the role.
It is believed he will continue as Maroons coach, having recently agreed on a two-year extension to his current contract, which had a year to run. However, the Queensland Rugby League is likely to begin contingency planning based on Walters eventually becoming the Broncos head coach when Bennett decides to step aside.
It is understood Walters aproached the club after they were thrashed by Melbourne in the NRL finals.
It will be Walters’ second stint as a coach at the Broncos after a stellar career at the club, where he played 237 games, won five premierships and became one of the first players inducted into the Broncos’ Hall of Fame.
He was part of Bennett’s coaching staff as far back as 2005 but departed the Broncos after a clean-out at the end of that season. He joined forces once again with Bennett in 2014 when he came on board as a halves coach at Newcastle before stepping up to an assistant role at the Broncos when Bennett returned to the club in 2015.
Once again, he stepped aside from his club coaching duties when he was appointed Queensland coach last year. At the time, there was talk of a rift between Bennett and Walters because the former had indicated an interest in coaching the Maroons.
However, Walters’ return to the Broncos will end any suggestion of an issue between the pair and shapes as a clear indication that the club’s former captain is well and truly in the running to replace Bennett when the 67-year-old ultimately decides to call it a day.
Bennett has a contract with the Broncos until the end of the 2019 season and has shown no inkling that he has lost his hunger for coaching, having taken the club to the finals again this season.
However, his club commitments coincide with the end of Mal Meninga’s contract with the Australian side and there is every chance Bennett may look to resume national duties — he currently runs the England Test side — should Meninga decide to explore other options.
Alternatively, Bennett could look to State of Origin, where he has forged one of the most successful coaching resumes of anyone from either state. That could result in he and Walters switching positions.
Walters’ new deal with the QRL is until the end of 2020.
Aside from Walters, North Queensland coach Paul Green is the other name most often mentioned as a possible long-term replacement for Bennett at the Broncos. Green is also likely to come into reckoning with the Queensland side should Walters eventually pursue a position as a club coach.
The Cowboys coach, having guided North Queensland to the 2015 premiership, is off contract at the end of next season but chair Laurence Lancini has indicated a desire to sit down with Green to extend his deal for at least another two seasons.
The Cowboys are understandably keen to tie Green down as quickly as possible given the way his reputation has soared since joining North Queensland. His coaching efforts in guiding the club to the grand final this season in the absence of co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott only enhanced his reputation.
Likewise, Walters’ career and standing have soared since his involvement with Queensland. Besides leading the Maroons to successive series wins, he has also demonstrated a willingness to make the tough calls. Two years ago he stood down a handful of players including Cameron Munster and Valentine Holmes after they were among a group who broke curfew while in camp.
He also made the difficult decision to overlook Billy Slater for the opening game of this year’s series but then recalled the Melbourne and Australian fullback for the remaining two games as Queensland defended the Origin shield.
It would be no surprise if Walters was also handed a role with the Broncos halves given Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima are entering a decisive period.
