Kevin Walters is going back to where it all began.
As Australia prepares to tour England for the first Rugby League Ashes in more than two decades, the Kangaroos coach is drawing inspiration from the glory days he once lived himself.
Walters played in two Ashes tours during the 1990s and says reconnecting with that heritage will be crucial as Australia looks to re-establish the prestige of the green and gold jersey.
For Walters, it’s about more than winning - it’s about restoring a legacy.
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Walters drawing from his own memories
Walters was part of Australia’s last great touring era, taking part in the 1990 and 1994 Kangaroos tours and the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley.
He still vividly remembers those tours, including the moment he came off the bench in 1994 to help set up the winning try against Great Britain.
“They were great times,” Walters said. “Touring and playing against the British - it’s a great experience for any player. It’s different to Origin, different to a grand final.”
Now, as coach, Walters hopes to transfer that same sense of pride and purpose to a new generation of Kangaroos.
“I love telling stories as a coach,” he said. “For me, coaching is storytelling - filling in the gaps for the players. But what’s important is right now, this moment. They have to create their own part of that history.”
Rebuilding the Kangaroos’ connection
The upcoming three-Test series marks the first Ashes tour since 2003, ending a 22-year drought.
Walters admits that gap has caused a “lost generation” of players with no first-hand connection to Australia’s historic rivalry with England.
“It’s been 20-odd years since a national tour, so we skipped a generation, unfortunately,” Walters said. “But it’s time to get back to work.”
Not one current NRL player has ever faced England on British soil. Even Australia’s most experienced campaigners - Isaah Yeo and Cameron Munster - have never played against them at all.
That lack of direct experience makes Walters’ storytelling approach even more important, helping his players understand what the Kangaroos jersey truly represents.
‘Unfinished business’ drives selection decisions
Walters will also rely on players who’ve expressed a deep emotional connection to the jersey.
“I’ve spoken to all three players, and certainly in Kotoni (Staggs) and Tino’s (Fa’asuamaleaui) case, they have unfinished business in the Australian jersey,” he said.
“The Australian Kangaroos are steeped deep in heritage. Those guys have a connection with the jersey. They have the opportunity to right a few wrongs.”
It’s a powerful message - one that aims to fuse history with hunger.
Creating new memories
For Walters, the task now is to inspire his players to leave their own mark on the Kangaroos’ story, just as he once did three decades ago.
“We’ll look at the past,” he said, “but it’s important for them to build their own memories - strong memories and good memories - of pulling on that Kangaroos jumper.”
If Walters succeeds, this tour won’t just revive the Ashes rivalry - it could rebuild the soul of Australian rugby league.