Walters leans on Ashes history as England and Australia renew rivalry

Former Kangaroo tourist Kevin Walters will lead Australia in this autumn's series against England; Walters succeeded Mal Meninga as Australia head coach following the latter's decision to take the top job at Perth Bears; the 57-year-old will be leaning heavily on the Ashes rivalry with England to prepare his players for the three-Test series

By
Marc Bazeley
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KEVIN Walters knows a thing or two about Ashes tours. After all, he went on two of them as a player.

Those 1990 and 1994 tours saw Australia coached by the great Bob Fulton. Now, 31 years later, former Kangaroos half-back Walters is a the helm for this autumn’s three-Test series against England.

Along with being named one of the Immortals of Australian rugby league for his playing achievements, Fulton enjoyed a successful coaching career for club and country, with premiership, Test series, and World Cup triumphs.

Walters post-playing career has not quite hit those heights, although he did guide former club Brisbane Broncos to an NRL grand final appearance in 2023 and oversaw State of Origin wins for Queensland in 2016 and 2017.

And what he knows from his own experiences touring is, rather than taking a technocratic approach, the key to glory will be making sure the latest generation of Kangaroos understand what it all really means going into the first Ashes series for 22 years.

“I’m not going to teach Nathan Cleary how to kick goals or kick 40-20s,” Walters told former England captain James Graham’s The Bye Round podcast. “It’s not about teaching them things, it’s about bringing them together as one and playing to their ability – it’s pretty simple.

“Some of these players don’t know a lot about Kangaroos tours and the Ashes.

“So, my role and the role of all the staff is to remind the players about the Ashes and the battles both countries have had against each other from way back in time to now.

“They’ve got this opportunity in front of them, it’s a unique experience playing in the Ashes, and it’s a great rivalry and tradition between the two countries no matter what sport.”

Despite being part of two Kangaroo tours and featuring regularly in the matches against club and county opposition – matches which are now consigned to history – Walters was a spectator for all of the Tests against Great Britain.

He did, however, taste victory over them in the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley, and is determined to put earning the right to pull on the iconic green and gold jersey back on the pedestal it has fallen from.

That, in part, involves building on the work done by another icon of Australian rugby league and four-time Kangaroo tourist in Mal Meninga, who also held international footy in such high esteem.

As was the case when he took charge of Queensland’s Origin team, Walters finds himself succeeding Meninga, following the latter’s decision to join Perth Bears ahead of their entry into the NRL in 2027.

The 57-year-old does not plan on making sweeping changes from his predecessor, either.

“Mal is one of our great Australians as far as the Kangaroos go,” Walters said.

“His energy and his belief in the Kangaroos and how important the jersey is, I think he was the perfect choice as Australia’s coach.

“Now he’s moved onto the Bears, I’m not going to change a whole lot. Mal had a very successful reign as Kangaroos head coach and this tour had been well-planned already by Mal and his staff.

“It’s simple, but it’s a big task. Not just from the head coach, but all of those players we’re taking.”

England vs Australia fixtures (all 2.30pm UK time kick-off)

October 25: First Test, Wembley Stadium (London)

November 1: Second Test, Hill Dickinson Stadium (Liverpool)

November 8: Third Test, AMT Headingley (Leeds)