Australia’s preparations can now begin in earnest with the appointment of Kevin Walters, who understands representative football from both the perspective of a player and as a coach.
Like Mal Meninga, his predecessor, Walters was a decorated Kangaroos tourist in a career where he collected Australian premiership titles like some collect stamps.
Walters, therefore, can appreciate the need to create bonds and experiences beyond the training paddock and pitch, those differences that make a Kangaroo tour – albeit without the club games these days – such a special experience.
His time coaching Queensland’s State of Origin side also matches with Meninga’s CV. That will have given him experience of forging a gameplan and instilling togetherness quickly in a representative team – a very different set-up to that of the day-in-day-out club game.
Coaching elite players in short bursts of time on a tour needs a different approach. You’re not developing basic skills; you’re trying to create an atmosphere that taps into the outstanding talent at your disposal. Walters has that ability.
Unlike other names who were linked with the role – such as Cameron Smith, untried as a head coach, and Brad Fittler, who had a handful of seasons at the Roosters to speak of beyond his NSW and Lebanon stints – Walters can also back up his rep roles with considerable NRL experience as a boss.
His last stint at the Broncos may have ended after a slump in form – but a year previously, they were in a Grand Final.
Most importantly, Walters is enthusiastic. He understands the pride in wearing the green and gold.
His toughest task might be persuading some of those Origin players who qualify for dual nationality, such as Hamiso Tabuai Fidow and Payne Haas, to side with the new-look Roos rather than family heritage.
Such defections would be a loss but in Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Patrick Carrigan and Cameron Munster, there are plenty of top players ready to answer the call this autumn.
