NRL
Kevin Walters has made a stunning decision on his coaching future, accepting a three-year deal to take charge of Super League powerhouse St Helens from the 2027 season with an announcement made by the Super League club thsi afternoon Australian time.
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The shock appointment comes while Walters remains head coach of the Australian Kangaroos and means this year’s Rugby League World Cup is now expected to be his final campaign in charge of the national side.
Walters will remain at the helm of Australia throughout the World Cup before officially beginning his new position with St Helens following the conclusion of the tournament.
The move creates another major coaching change for Australian rugby league, with Walters preparing to relocate to England and commit himself to the Saints through the 2029 season in what is a stunning development in his coaching career..
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It is a remarkable development considering Walters only took control of the Kangaroos last year and immediately enjoyed success, guiding Australia to a dominant 3-0 Ashes series victory over England.
“I look forward to bringing my experiences as a coach and blending those learnings into the winning culture of St.Helens,” Walters said following the announcement.
“At the end of last year, I was in England for the Ashes Series as the Kangaroos Head Coach. I witnessed firsthand how tough, physical, and skillful the English players were. I look forward to being a part of Super League in 2027 with the Saints.” Walters continued.
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Walters’ appointment represents his return to full-time club coaching for the first time since his surprise departure from Brisbane following the 2024 NRL season.
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The 58-year-old coached the Broncos between 2021 and 2024, taking his former club from near the bottom of the ladder to within minutes of a premiership during their dramatic 2023 Grand Final defeat to Penrith.
He has also previously coached Queensland at State of Origin level and will now add one of English rugby league’s biggest clubs to an already extensive coaching résumé.
Significantly, St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus revealed the ARL Commission had been involved in facilitating the move, thanking Peter V’landys for his cooperation in allowing Walters to accept the position.
Walters will now have the unusual situation of entering the World Cup knowing his next coaching job has already been secured, with Australia attempting to defend its title on home soil before he departs for England.
It also potentially gives Walters the opportunity to finish his brief Kangaroos tenure with the ultimate prize, having already delivered an Ashes clean sweep in his first major assignment.
Attention will inevitably turn towards who replaces him as Australian coach after the tournament, but before that decision arrives, Walters has one enormous job remaining as he attempts to leave the Kangaroos as a World Cup-winning coach.
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