New coach Kevin Walters is set to take over the Kangaroos with as many as three more Origin stars declaring their allegiances to Samoa in a “hammer blow” to his chances of a successful Ashes tour.
Walters is expected to be announced as Mal Meninga’s successor this week, with the ARL Commission (ARLC) finalising plans to unveil him ahead of this year’s Ashes.
It comes after Meninga was forced to step down upon taking on the Perth Bears job last month, while the ARLC has ruled out having a club coach in charge.
Walters’ appointment will mark his return to coaching, after being axed by Brisbane at the end of 2024. He previously led Queensland in State of Origin from 2016 to 2019.
The ARL is reportedly only going to offer Walters a three-Test stint at the helm with the former five-eighth needing to prove he is the right option to guide the Kangaroos into next year’s World Cup.
Maroons fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is considering switching his international allegiances to Samoa after his excellent display in Queensland’s 2-1 Origin series victory over NSW.
The Dolphins fullback is the NRL’s leading try-scorer with the 23-year-old running in 17 tries from 15 matches, including two in last Thursday’s thumping win over North Queensland.
He made his international debut for Samoa against England at the 2022 World Cup before injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament.
The Hammer has since represented the Kangaroos in six Tests, including last year’s successful Pacific Championships campaign.
Maroons teammate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Blues prop Payne Haas are also set to turn their back on the chance to play for Australia again to line up for Samoa.
Adam Doueihi. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Doueihi in Dragons’ sights
Wests Tigers utility Adam Doueihi could be changing his stripes in the off-season with St George Illawarra keen to lure him to the club as a ball-playing lock.
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Doueihi is in the Dragons’ sights as a replacement for veteran Jack de Belin, who will head to Parramatta next season.
Doueihi, after 110 games in the outside backs or halves, played his first match at lock in the Tigers’ 21-20 win over Gold Coast on Sunday and kicked the winning field goal.
He is off contract at the end of this year and the 26-year-old former Rabbitoh could be a handy acquisition for Shane Flanagan as he tries to beef up his roster.
with AAP
