Walters To Coach Australia For England Series

Kevin Walters says he "can't hold to get started" aft being named Australia's caput coach for their autumn bid against England.

The erstwhile Brisbane Broncos caput coach, who led Queensland done 4 State of Origin series', has been fixed a three-match woody to lead nan men's squad for nan Ashes encounters.

Walters, 57, replaces Mal Meninga, who near successful June aft nan announcement that he would beryllium taking complaint of caller NRL nine Perth Bears.

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has besides confirmed Jess Skinner will proceed arsenic coach of nan women's squad done to adjacent year's World Cup.

Australia's men look England astatine Wembley connected 25 October, Everton's caller Hill Dickinson Stadium connected 1 November and AMT Headingley connected 8 November, pinch each 3 matches to beryllium shown unrecorded successful nan UK by nan BBC. The Tests astatine Everton and Headingley are already sold out.

Walters said: "It is genuinely an honour and a privilege to beryllium capable to coach nan Kangaroos connected specified a stage."

He was portion of nan Kangaroos squad that toured Great Britain successful 1990 and 1994, though he only played successful Tests connected nan second tour.

"Playing connected a Kangaroos circuit was ever a pinnacle arsenic a player, truthful to beryllium capable to lead nan champion of nan champion successful this situation is very humbling and evidently very exciting," added Walters, who had a short spell astatine Super League broadside Warrington successful 2001 and coached Catalans Dragons from 2009-10.

"This bid will beryllium an important measurement for nan maturation of world rugby convention and for nan Kangaroos. I can't hold to get started."

Meninga's determination to return up nan domiciled pinch Perth Bears forced him to measurement down successful June arsenic ARLC rules forestall nan nationalist squad caput coach from holding a nine occupation astatine nan aforesaid time.

Former Australia skipper Brad Fittler, a three-time World Cup winner, had been favourite for nan station until ruling himself retired of nan running, citing his media commitments. Cameron Smith, different ex-Kangaroos captain, was besides a contender.

ARLC president Peter V'landys said: "Kevin has toured pinch nan Kangaroos arsenic a player, was a leader arsenic a subordinate and arsenic a coach. His coaching pedigree is simply a earthy fresh for nan nationalist team."