Maroons rally behind under-siege coach h

PLAYERS have rallied around Kevin Walters after the QRL was forced to ensure the Maroons coach’s future if they lose the State of Origin series in Sydney.

Walters looked like a man under pressure ahead of Origin II after reports he faces the axe if the Maroons lost the 2017 series.

In just his second series at the helm, Walters is contracted with the Maroons until the end of next year. However, reports claimed Wayne Bennett was ready to step in next year if Queensland failed to bounce back from their record 28-4 game one loss in Brisbane.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said Walters’ future was never in question.

‘‘Its never been discussed,’’ he told News Corp. ‘‘Kevin’s got a three-year contract and won the series last year.’’

Walters has been handed the difficult task of overseeing the ageing Queensland team’s transition period. Johnathan Thurston will retire from representative football at season’s end and the Origin futures of skipper Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles and Greg Inglis up in the air.

Queensland lock Josh McGuire said players supported the under-fire Walters.

‘‘He’s won six premierships [as a player] and there’s not many people with six rings around, so he knows how to get big games done and won,’’ he said.

‘‘I have the utmost respect for him and what he’s done in his football career and when he speaks, everyone listens.’’

Walters took over from Mal Meninga, who masterminded nine series wins in a decade of dominance including eight straight series victories.

The QRL reportedly sought out Bennett after Meninga left to take up the Kangaroos job before being blocked by his NRL club Brisbane.

They then offered North