No big changes needed: Walters
KEVIN Walters bristled with confidence last night as he declared his five-year association with skipper Cameron Smith left him uniquely placed to coach Queensland to more Origin success.
But Walters will start a three-year contract to coach the Maroons as the successor to Mal Meninga with an immediate juggling act with planned reductions to the numbers of his management and coaching staff.
Walters said he had already spoken to record-breaking key position players Smith and Johnathan Thurston, his safety net in planning to win his first series next year.
Smith would go past Darren Lockyer’s mark of 36 career Origin games if he plays in the June 1 series opener in Sydney.
“They are very happy for me,” Walters said.
“These guys don’t need a lot of coaching.
“Smithy has played so many Origin matches and I’ve spent three years at the Storm working with Cameron, so that put me in a good position with Queensland.
“I know Smithy. It puts me a couple of yards ahead of any other person, whether it would have been Paul Green or Wayne Bennett they were throwing up (as contenders).
“Likewise, I’ve been around (the Maroons) for the best part of five years over 10 years (span) and certainly the last two, so I’ve seen how they operate. You are not taking over a sinking ship here, it’s a bloody strong ship.
“Mal has done a tremendous job but I wouldn’t put my hand up if I didn’t think I could do a really good job.’’
Walters signalled the continuation of a selection policy of again selecting veteran players involved in the era under Meninga that brought nine series wins in 10 years.
“It comes down to form and their history. Until that changes, I wouldn’t see the need for changes,’’ he said.
The QRL is intent on trimming the size and expense of the coaching and management staff which Meninga put in place.
QRL chairman Peter Betros said he wanted to see Intrust Super Cup coaches get opportunities on the Maroons coaching staff.
“We have some very good younger coaches like the Walkers (Ben and Shane) and Kristian Woolf (Blackhawks’ ISC coach),’’ Betros said.
“Kevin coached at ISC level and so did Paul Green.’’
Walters said part of his role was to put programs in place to progress the careers of coaches in Queensland.
“I don’t think that has happened so much with Queensland coaches in the past 20 years,’’ he said.
Walters said he thought his elder brother Steve, a longserving team manager of Meninga’s, wanted to retain the job.