Walkers on radar for New York franchise

PROSPECTIVE Super League franchise New York have approached Ipswich duo Ben and Shane Walker after they missed out on the Gold Coast Titans NRL job.

Officials from the New York consortium will arrive on the Gold Coast next week to meet the Walkers, who remain determined to eventually break into the NRL despite their disappointment at missing out on the Titans post.

Former Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter, currently masterminding Fiji at the World Cup, has been linked with the job but the Walkers have landed on the American consortium’s radar.

New York have submitted a business plan to England’s governing body, the RFL, to play second-tier football in 2019 with a view to being promoted to Super League the following season.

Several NRL coaches have served their apprenticeship in Super League, including Newcastle’s Nathan Brown and the Roosters’ Trent Robinson, but the Walkers are not convinced it is a guaranteed pathway to success.

“We’ll have to think about the New York approach and the prospect of coaching overseas,” Shane Walker said.

“Our manager has been sounded out by New York. I don’t know how far advanced their bid is and we also have young families, so if we moved to the States or England, there would be some things we would have to consider.

“Myself and Ben have successful businesses and there is the opportunity to move away from them, but the opportunity has to be enticing as well.

“I don’t think you necessarily have to go to Super League.

“Paul Green (North Queensland coach) is a good example. He coached in the Intrust Super Cup with Wynnum before having some time with the (Sydney) Roosters and now he has had great success with the Cowboys.”