Kevin Walters to coach St Helens after Rugby League World Cup
Kevin Walters, the current head coach of Australia's national rugby league team, has signed a three-year deal to become St Helens' next head coach — but he will not take over until the Rugby League World Cup concludes later this year. Sky Sports
Walters is one of the most decorated figures in the game. As a player he won six NRL Premierships — the Australian club championship — made 20 State of Origin appearances for Queensland (the annual best-of-three series between New South Wales and Queensland), and earned 11 caps for the Australian Kangaroos. He was part of the squad that lifted the 1992 Rugby League World Cup. BBC Sport
His coaching CV is extensive too. Walters previously guided the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL and coached Queensland's State of Origin side before being handed the Australian national job. He received a new two-year deal as Kangaroos coach in May, ahead of the World Cup. St Helens
St Helens confirmed the appointment on their official club website. France 24
The man he is eventually replacing sits at the centre of a turbulent season. Paul Wellens, the former Saints boss, opted not to extend his contract last year — despite a campaign that included a Super League play-off win over Leeds Rhinos. His successor, Paul Rowley, then departed in July after less than a year at the helm. Eamon O'Carroll has been holding the fort as interim head coach and will continue until the end of the current campaign. BBC Sport
St Helens need the stability. They sit seventh in the Super League table with three matches remaining, and a season wrecked by injuries has left them in genuine danger of missing the play-offs for the first time in years. BBC Sport
Club chairman Eamonn McManus said Walters' experience at club and representative levels is self-evident, and noted that the Australian is making major career sacrifices to move to England. BBC Sport
For St Helens supporters, the appointment is a statement of intent from a club that has stumbled uncharacteristically. Walters brings a winner's pedigree built over four decades in the game, and his arrival — whenever the World Cup finishes — will be the start of a new chapter rather than a continuation of this difficult one.
