Bronco bias fears fuelled Walters’ departure
RUGBY LEAGUE: Kevin Walters says the fear of being accused of a Brisbane bias at the Queensland Origin selection table is another reason behind his decision to walk away from the Broncos.
Walters dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when he severed ties with the Broncos, just six months after reaching out to super coach Wayne Bennett to return as his assistant this season.
Walters attended the launch of the State of Origin series in Melbourne on Tuesday and that engagement rammed home the pressures the Queensland coach would face in steering the Maroons to a third consecutive series win.
Facing some tough calls at the selection table in the coming weeks, Walters admitted yesterday that he was mindful of the prospect of being accused of a Broncos bias.
“People might say I’m biased to the Broncos and that’s not the case,” Walters told Triple M.
“I needed to give Origin my full attention. I went down to the launch of the series and I just wanted to make sure everything is right for the series.
“This year will be a difficult one with no (Johnathan) Thurston and (Crooper) Cronk (due to retirement from Origin) and any other injuries that might come up.
“I want to make sure I get it right for Queenslanders and for myself.”
It is the third time Walters has left Brisbane during Bennett’s reign as Broncos coach.
Walters was first sacked by Bennett in 2005 – a move that has consistently fuelled speculation the pair do not see eye-to-eye.
Walters insists there were no heated words with Bennett when he met with the coach to announce his latest departure.
“There is no rift between Wayne and I,” he said. “There was no arguing – I love what the Broncos are doing. We’ve always had a good relationship and Wayne has been nothing but supportive of me.”