His immediate focus is securing a 3-0 Ashes series whitewash against England this weekend, but Australian Kangaroos boss Kevin Walters has declared an NRL coaching return is very much in his plans.
Walters, 58, spoke with the Sydney Morning Herald ahead of the third and final Test at Headingley in Leeds, reiterating both his disappointment at being removed as Brisbane Broncos head coach twelve months ago, and also his determination to put things right if and when the opportunity presents itself.
“I fixed them (Brisbane) up, got membership, sponsorship, everything breaking records—crowd support breaking records,” Walters said of his time at the helm of the NRL’s biggest club, which began in 2021 after the Broncos had suffered the ignominy of their first and only wooden spoon in 2020.
“Then we didn’t have a great year (in 2024) … so I got removed … it would have been nice for them to believe in me a bit more.”
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A year on and all parties have moved forward, with the Broncos 2025 NRL premiers and Walters head coach of the Ashes-winning national team—but it’s clear the NRL is where he sees his coaching future.
“The confidence in myself is still there, I still have unfinished business in the NRL and I’ve got unfinished business with the Kangaroos this Saturday,” he said.
“My priority is to these colours (Australian) right now, but when we get back to Australia, I’ll sit down with Peter (V’landys) and Andrew (Abdo) and discuss the World Cup next year. After that, who knows what happens?
“I definitely want to get back in the NRL at the right time with the right club, there will be some opportunities.”
Indeed, Walters knows that only too well from personal experiences, both good and bad.