Kevin Walters has been appointed to replace Mal Meninga as coach of the champion Queensland State of Origin rugby league team.

Walters has spent time as an assistant at the Melbourne Storm and is currently serving under Wayne Bennett at the Brisbane Broncos.

“Coaching Queensland is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Walters said.

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“It’s truly an honour to be in a position to coach such a fine group of players and to be entrusted with the responsibility of developing future Origin talent through our programs.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead, starting with the QAS Emerging Origin camps in the new year.”

The premiership-winning playmaker was head coach of the Toowoomba Clydesdales in the Queensland Cup and spent two seasons coaching the Catalans Dragons in the Super League, finishing with a 21-36 win-loss record.

Support has come thick and fast for Walters to take over from Meninga, who is leaving to coach Australia after winning nine of his 10 series in charge since 2006.

North Queensland coach Paul Green was the front-runner for a time but he pulled out of the race after questions over whether he could split his time between the Maroons and Cowboys.