Hear the thoughts of the Kangaroos head coach with just over 50 days to go until the England and Australia renew their Ashes rivalry at Wembley Stadium!
Recently appointed Australia head coach Kevin Walters is relishing the opportunity to lead the Kangaroos in the upcoming ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes Test Series.
The former Brisbane, Catalans and Queensland head coach was appointed as Mal Meninga’s successor in July, just three months ahead of the opening Ashes fixture at Wembley Stadium.
Walters knows what it means to pull on the Kangaroos jersey in an Ashes series, having been part of the 1992 squad that defeated Great Britain to retain the Ashes.
Now, he’s set to lead a new generation of Australian stars tasked with retaining the Ashes trophy this Autumn.
“As the head coach, part of my job is to educate our players on the history of the Ashes and the history of England v Australia in England,” explained Walters.
“There’s been some magnificent test battles over the years. Our most recent tour was 23 years ago – there’s been nearly a generation of players who didn’t get the opportunity to experience what they’re about to experience. That really excites me.
“I remember as a little boy getting up in Ipswich [Australia] to watch the Kangaroos. We’d get up at two, three in the morning. The whole family would get up to watch. We all used to get up and watch the Kangaroos in the 70s and the 80s play in some magnificent test matches.
“I will be transferring my experiences and part of my work as the head coach is to educate our players and tell the stories about those times so that they get a real pride and passion for the experience.
“I don’t feel like I’ll have to do too much work because already some of our leading players that I’ve spoken to are really excited about the fact they’re going to get an opportunity to represent their country against England in England.”
The Australian side are widely regarded as the best national team in world rugby league. And for good reason. They stormed to victory in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup and more recently, won the 2024 Pacific Championships.
They will undoubtedly head over to England as favourites, which mounts pressure on the Kangaroos - but that won’t faze Walters’ squad.
“Pressure is a privilege. When you play at the highest level, there’s always pressure. But it’s about how you manage that pressure. I was very fortunate as a player and as a coach to experience some games where the pressure is on. You’ve just got to be yourself and do your best, and that’s what we’ll be doing with the Kangaroos.
“As a nation, the Australian Kangaroos have great depth in every position. We’ll be taking 22 fit Kangaroos to England, ready to go to battle for the Ashes. We’ll be ready to take on England.
That being said, Walters certainly won’t be underestimating his opposition. He knows the strength the England team pose and respects the quality of opposition from both the Australian based England players, and the strong Betfred Super League contingent.
“I’m aware of a lot of the players – there’s certainly some big talent and some very good players. And there’s four, five, maybe six players here (in the NRL) that they’ll select in their squad. We’re really respectful of England and their capabilities, particularly in England, where they seem to grow another leg when you’re playing over there. It’s a difficult place to go and win.
“You’ve always had talent in England to compete with Australia and beat Australia. I’m well aware of that and certainly won’t be underestimating any of the English players, because I’ve been on the receiving end of some losses. Even here in Australia, we got beat in Melbourne in 1992. I’ve got a lot of respect for the English players and the English game. There’ll be no stone left unturned as far as our preparation is concerned.
“Speaking to some of our senior players in the last couple of weeks, they’re very excited about taking on England in England. They’re very respectful of that as well. They all watch the Super League – it’s on early in the morning here, but they certainly know a lot about our English friends.
“I think the rivalry will be as it always has been. It doesn’t matter what sport – there’s a huge rivalry between the two countries and it’ll be no different for this tour.”
Rivalries will be reignited when England take on Australia in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes this autumn. The two nations will meet in a three-match test series over 20 years in the making and with the second and third test completely SOLD OUT; Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 October is your only place to watch this fierce rivalry live!
Book your Wembley tickets here with prices starting from just £20 for adults and £10 for U16’s.
