Walter to extend Maroons position
KEVIN Walters is extending his tenure with the Maroons with the Queensland coach to sign a contract upgrade in his blueprint to build another Mal Meninga-style Origin dynasty.
Walters is in talks with the Queensland Rugby League on a two-year extension that will see the Broncos legend remain at the helm of the Maroons until the end of 2020.
Speculation was rife last month that Walters’ position was under threat and that his current deal, which expires next year, could be torn up to make way for Wayne Bennett in 2018.
But QRL bosses were so pleased with the Maroons’ epic fightback to overcome a 1-0 deficit and win this year’s series they have begun negotiations to reward Walters with another term in charge.
Walters is on track to serve Queensland for five consecutive campaigns, a period of continuous service bettered only by Meninga, who steered the Maroons to nine series wins in 10 years. Walters has had a dream start to his Origin coaching career, winning back-to-back campaigns as Meninga’s successor, and confirmed last night he wants to ink another deal.
“I plan to continue on, certainly,” Walters said.
“I’d like to stay involved.”