Kevin Walters has expressed his intention to continue as head coach of the Australian national rugby league team beyond the 2026 World Cup, despite his upcoming appointment as head coach of English club St Helens. Walters is set to begin Australia’s World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Thursday at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium as the Kangaroos defend their title.
In a significant move earlier this year, Walters agreed to a $2 million, three-year contract with St Helens, reportedly the highest-paid coaching deal in the history of English rugby league. His decision raised questions about his future with the Kangaroos, particularly since the Australian Rugby League (ARL) Commission approved a two-year extension for Walters in May, amid speculation he would step down from the national role after the World Cup due to his full-time commitment in England.
However, Walters maintains that he can manage both responsibilities simultaneously. “I don’t see it as my last time as Australian coach,” he said ahead of the tournament opener. He emphasized his current focus on winning the World Cup and noted that his duties at St Helens will begin later in the year, which he believes will allow him to oversee the Kangaroos during the tournament.
“I will focus on St Helens after the World Cup,” Walters said, adding that any decision regarding his future with the Kangaroos ultimately rests with the ARL Commission and NRL executive chairman Peter V’landys. “It’s a thrill to coach Australia. It is very special and I love it, so that’s the plan to go on.”
Supporting Walters’ prospects of holding a dual role is the scheduling of the 2027 season, during which Australia has no planned Test matches, potentially freeing him to manage St Helens’ full-time coaching duties while still leading the Kangaroos at the end-of-year Pacific Championships. Former Australia and England coach Wayne Bennett has long argued that the national coaching role need not be full-time, a view that aligns with Walters’ proposed arrangement.
There has been speculation that Cameron Smith, the Maroons and Australian Test legend, could be a successor if Walters steps down. Yet, V’landys has neither ruled out Walters’ continuation nor committed to any decision, emphasizing that the coaching role is ultimately a commission responsibility.
On the team’s coaching front, Walters will take a more direct role during the World Cup, particularly on offense. The Kangaroos’ coaching staff has been reshaped following the departure of assistants Willie Peters and Gorden Tallis since their 3-0 Ashes series win last year. Ben Te’o, former Broncos assistant, has been appointed as Australia’s defensive coach, labeled by Walters as the “minister for defence.” Walters also noted that instead of appointing a direct replacement for Peters, the team has added an extra specialist from the high-performance department to focus on recovery, reflecting a strategic shift in preparation practices.
With the World Cup underway, all eyes will be on Walters as he balances these high-profile commitments, seeking to secure another major title for the Kangaroos while navigating new challenges across hemispheres.