Benny, Walters set for change
THE Queensland Rugby League is ready to send an SOS to Wayne Bennett as they contemplate the loss of Kevin Walters to the Titans.
Walters has made no secret of his desire to take up an NRL job and the Titans loom as the likely option given they are conducting a review of their football operations after a woeful start to the year.
Coach Garth Brennan seems certain to pay the price for a series of dismal displays, with head of football Mal Meninga scheduled to hand down his recommendations at a board meeting on July 15.
Walters is considered the favourite for the role, although the Titans are also likely to consider St Helens coach Justin Holbrook and Sydney Roosters assistants Craig Fitzgibbon and Adam O’Brien.
It means next week’s Origin decider at ANZ Stadium could be Walters’ last for the Maroons. The QRL is already preparing contingency plans for Walters’ departure, its priority to put in an experienced coach while waiting for a new breed to gain more exposure to the highest levels.
Bennett is the preferred option as the seven-time premiership-winning coach boasts one of the most successful records in Origin history.
He last coached the Maroons in 2003, finishing his tenure with 11 wins and a draw from his 21 games in charge.
He won four and drew one
WE HAVE TALKED A BIT ABOUT THERE AREN’T ANY IMMEDIATE OPTIONS
QRL BOSS BRUCE HATCHER
series along the way and still commands enormous respect across the game, particularly in the corridors of the QRL.
QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher acknowledged his board began discussing contingency plans for Walters’ exit last year when the Maroons coach was in the running for the Broncos job that was later filled by Anthony Seibold.
Bennett looms as the most viable alternative, although he is already juggling his club duties at South Sydney with his role as head coach of England.
The QRL also has a huge opinion of Cowboys boss Paul Green but he may have trouble convincing the club to let him do both roles given the team’s recent struggles.
Those two aside, the alternatives are relative rookies in coaching terms – the likes of Justin Hodges and Billy Slater have only just joined the Maroons coaching staff.
“We have talked a bit about there aren’t any immediate options if you looked at say a three-year appointment,” Hatcher said.
“We’re going through a very big program at the moment in getting our coaches, referees and player development up to scratch because we lack numbers at the elite level.”