Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters will take charge of Super League giants St Helens after Rugby League World Cup 2026.
St Helens announced the appointment of Walters, who has also coached Queensland and Brisbane Broncos, as the club’s head coach for the next three seasons.
“St Helens are one of the most iconic and successful brands in rugby league," Walters said.
"I am honoured to be given the opportunity by the Chairman, Eamonn McManus, and the St Helens Board to lead a club with so much history.
“I look forward to bringing my experiences as a coach and blending those learnings into the winning culture of St Helens.
“For me, the foundation of success is creating the right environment where the players and staff enjoy coming to training and working hard for each other, as well as the Saints sponsors, fans and the wider community.
“At the end of last year, I was in England for the Ashes Series as the Kangaroos head coach.
"I witnessed firsthand how tough, physical, and skillful the English players were. I look forward to being a part of Super League in 2027 with the Saints.”
As the Kangaroos’ head coach, Walters guided Australia to a 3-0 whitewash over England in last Autumn’s Ashes series.
As a player, Walters enjoyed a distinguished career which included six NRL Premierships, 20 State of Origin appearances and 11 Test matches for the Kangaroos, including being part of Australia’s 1992 World Cup-winning team.
The appointment of Walters comes following a thorough and detailed selection process, which saw a high number of top-quality applicants from around the world declare their interest in the position.
His vast experience at the highest level of the game, combined with his desire, ambition and commitment to take on the role, made him the outstanding choice to be the new Saints’ head coach.
Highly respected throughout the rugby league world, Walters’ appointment represents another significant statement of St Helens’ standing on the global stage and marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the club.
Walters will begin his work with the club officially following the conclusion of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup which is being staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from October.
Chairman Eamonn McManus said Walters' vast experience at both club and representative levels was self-evident.
“His motivation to succeed with the task at hand was both clear and compelling to us, as shown by the major career sacrifices that he is making in Australia to join St Helens," McManus said.
“This is a major statement of ambition both by St Helens and by Super League.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to the understanding and professionalism of Peter V’Landys and the ARL Commission in facilitating Kevin’s move to us.
“Eamon O’Carroll will continue as our interim head coach until the end of this season.
"He has been magnificent for us under testing circumstances, and I am sure that our fans will remain firmly behind him and the team.”
