Isaah Yeo has endorsed Kevin Walters as Australia’s next coach, with the Kangaroos captain labelling the Brisbane legend a man people want to play for.
Walters is expected to be announced as Mal Meninga’s successor this week, with the ARL Commission (ARLC) finalising plans to unveil him ahead of this year’s Ashes.
The former Queensland and Brisbane mentor is poised to take charge of the national team for just a three-match contract to oversee Australia’s first Ashes tour in 22 years after the NRL season concludes.
It comes after Meninga was forced to step down upon taking on the Perth Bears job last month, while the ARLC has ruled out having a club coach in charge.
Walters’ appointment will mark his return to coaching, after being axed by Brisbane at the end of 2024. He previously led Queensland in State of Origin from 2016 to 2019.
Yeo has never previously worked with Walters, with his only dealings being in post-match interviews or playing against him while in charge of the Broncos.
But he has spoken to a number of players about the 57-year-old, and was happy to have him take over the Kangaroos ahead of the Ashes and 2026 World Cup.
“You can see how much he meant to the players by talking to the Broncos boys,” Yeo said.
“If it wasn’t for Nathan Cleary killing it for 16 or 17 minutes then he’d be a premiership-winning coach. Everyone I’ve spoken to has massive raps on him.
“He’s come out and said how much of an honour it’ll be to be able to coach Brisbane, Queensland and his last one was going to be Australia.
“I’m super excited for him. You can see how much it means to him already and I’d love to be a part of it with him.”
Walters was tight-lipped when quizzed about his link to the vacant role on Sunday, but expected an announcement to be made imminently.
“I can’t tell you anything. There’ll be a decision made tomorrow,” the former multi-premiership winning player said on Fox League’s NRL coverage.
“We’ll just wait and see. Obviously, I’d be very privileged and grateful to get the opportunity to coach Australia.
“It’s a privilege to put the green and gold on and to coach the side, even more so. We’ll just see what happens tomorrow.”
The Australian Rugby League Commission has been on the hunt for a new Kangaroos boss since Mal Meninga stepped down to join expansion side the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027.
Replacement options had been thin on the ground given ARLC rules prevent active club coaches from taking the role.
That precluded South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett from contention despite his interest, with Walters rocketing into the frame once favourite Brad Fittler pulled out to focus on his media duties.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Cameron Smith, one of the greatest players of the modern era, had flagged his interest but is untested as a professional head coach.
Walters coached Brisbane to the 2023 grand final, which the Broncos narrowly lost after a Penrith comeback, and was fired a year later after the side missed the 2024 finals.
Prior to that, Walters led Queensland to victory in two of four State of Origin series as coach.
Cooper not invited to reunion
Dragons legend Matt Cooper has shed more light on why only four players from St George Illawarra’s 2010 grand final side bothered showing up for a recent reunion at Kogarah.
The premiership-winning centre said he was simply not invited.
Dean Young, who is on the coaching staff, and Ben Creagh, a member of the board, were joined by prop Michael Weyman and winger Jason Nightingale, along with squad member Dan Hunt, who missed the premiership victory over the Roosters due to injury.
The Dragons were celebrating their victory over the Roosters before the NRL match against the same club.
Cooper and five-eighth Jamie Soward, who was dumped by the club as NRLW coach last year, have been vocal critics of the Dragons in recent years.
New CEO Tim Watsford claimed some players were unavailable because they were on holidays and others were unable to attend because they live interstate.
“I’ve been away all week, but my phone has been blowing up non-stop about the so-called Dragons 15-year grand final reunion and why I wasn’t there,” Cooper said on Instagram.
“It’s simple. I never got invited. That’s why I wasn’t there.
Matt Cooper. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“And it looks like that happened to a lot of players. I think it was probably not an official thing, I think it was just a spur of the moment thing they did.
“Also I want to clear up something that a lot of people think. I don’t have issues with the club. I had issues with the CEO when I retired and how I was treated and how it affected my life.
“And I’m at a point in my life where I’m at peace with it.
“I really want to be part of the St George Illawarra Dragons. I’m the fourth-highest capped player of all-time, I hold lots of records like most tries scored for the club and most tries in a game.
“I sacrificed a lot of things when I was playing for that club and it’s a shame, because I really want to be involved and I think I could help.”
He added that he was really impressed with Watsford’s arrival at the club and wants the Dragons to be like “the Yankees of the NRL”.
with AAP
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/0edHscu News: Walters gets backing from NSW skipper to coach Kangaroos for Ashes tour, Dragons legend explains reunion snub
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