"Didn't even interview": How Walters landed top job

Newly appointed Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has revealed he didn’t even interview for the job.

The 57-year-old former Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons coach was confirmed as Mal Meninga's replacement earlier this week and has been endorsed by Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chief Peter V’Landys.

Walters will take the reins for the forthcoming Ashes series in England after which the long-term future of the role is expected to be reviewed.

Speaking to SENQ Breakfast, Walters was asked about the behind-the-scenes process of securing such a high profile job and his answer was surprising.

"As it happened, I didn’t interview for the Australia job, I interviewed for the Bears job which was also done by the ARLC," he told Corey parker and Ian Healy.

"They obviously knew a lot about me from that process.

"When Mal got the Bears job they started looking around for candidates. I saw my name thrown around a few times but I hadn’t spoken to the NRL about it.

"The I got a phone call and things progressed from there.

"I found out a few days ago I had got the job so I was really thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to coach the great Kangaroos."

In terms of what Walters had been asked to present for the bears application, he said the process was fairly straightforward.

"It was a Zoom meeting, sometimes they're face to face, they asked some questions and my thoughts on setting up a new franchise and what kind of players I would try and entice," he said.

"You don’t have to look far, if you google my name or your name a lot of information comes up. It's not hard to find out information you’ve just got to ask the right questions."

Walters then revealed he had a good referral letter.

"When I was moved on from the Broncos, Wayne Bennett wrote me a reference for future employment. When I read it I thought ‘well this is bloody good why aren’t you keeping me on the books’."

The Ashes series gets underway at Wembley Stadium, London in October.