Kevin Walters has been confirmed as the new Kangaroos coach on a three-match contract.
Whilst this appears to be a short-term commitment from both the ARLC and Walters' management, the timing of the deal actually makes it a significant gamble for the former Broncos and Maroons coach.
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Australia's 2025 tour of England will take place from late October to early November, which will force players and staff to miss the opening stages of pre-season training for their NRL clubs.
For Walters, this likely means eliminating himself from this year's coaching carousel, as clubs would be unable to hire him until he has fulfilled his coaching commitments for Australia per a long-standing policy that prevents NRL coaches from also taking up the Kangaroos job.
Many side's, particularly those that don't feature in finals footy and would presumably be in the market for a new coach, go back to training on the sixth of November.
This won't be an issue if Walters' services are retained at the conclusion of the Ashes series, however, if he is moved on, he will have to live with the opportunity cost of potentially signing long-term with an NRL side.
If Walters' management has surveyed the NRL landscape and come to the conclusion that his best chance of landing a coaching role was with the Kangaroos, that also would've been a motivating factor to ink this deal.
Despite stepping back into a media role with Fox League this season, Walters has made no secret of his desire to return to coaching.
"It is truly an honour and a privilege to be able to coach the Kangaroos on such a stage," Walters said.
Coaching the Kangaroos is undoubtedly the most prestigious job in Australian rugby league, so it is easy to see why the role was so appealing.
However, the terms of the contract begs the question that if being a coach is his primary motivator, why not hold out until a contract with more favourable conditions comes across his desk?
Walters' resume at both the NRL and State of Origin level suggest that he will be a wonderful selection as the head coach of his nation, the point of contention lies in whether or not he is in fact doing himself a disservice by signing the deal at this point.