Coaching Maroons ‘pinnacle’

“There were just a few little turns and roundabouts but we got there in the end.”

The QRL was heavily criticised when Green knocked back the job on December 17 after Meninga, who guided the Maroons to nine series victories from 10, took the national post at the start of the month.

QRL chairman Peter Betros was unapologetic yesterday and partly blamed the media speculation for making their job harder.

Walters – seen as the natural successor after playing 20 games in the 1990s, having a long apprenticeship as an NRL assistant coach and serving as Meninga’s right-hand man – never hesitated in making the bridge-mending phone call.

“It wasn’t awkward at all,” he said. “I’m very happy I did make that phone call.

“It’s worked out well for (the QRL) and myself.

“There was a lot going on around the place and to be honest I was just ready to make that phone call to say ‘where are we going with this?’

“Peter and I sat down and we had a good conversation from there.”

It ensured his days as a reliable and wise-cracking lieutenant to the likes of Meninga, Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy, and a number of failed head coaching applications, has ended.

Walters described Queensland post as pinnacle.

“I fulfilled my dreams as a player and now I am fortunate enough to fulfil my dream as a coach,” he said.

“Origin, when around, it just everyone.

“Everyone wants to be involved and a part of it and to be the head coach of this great team, this great organisation, it’s a very prestigious position.”

Walters admitted he faced a major challenge to keep a stranglehold over NSW but said there only needed to be few “subtle” changes to the structure Meninga had built.

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