Steve Walters

The eldest of the three Walters brothers, hooker Steve Walters was the last of the three to achieve selection for Australia. Originally from Brisbane Norths, many thought that Test honours should have occurred after the Raiders' back-to-back grand final wins in 1989-90 but when it did come, belatedly, in the 1991 Trans Tasman Test series, it was at the expense of his brother Kerrod who lost his rep position after being suspended. Steve Walters out-pointed NSW captain Ben Elias on the score of consistency and reliability in the open and was one of Australia's best players in the series win against the Kiwis. Despite Canberra's loss in the 1991 grand final, Walters earned a place on the Australian Tour of Papua New Guinea but was injured at training and did not play in a match. In 1992 he was selected for the Ashes series against Great Britain and in the World Cup final, after joining his twin brothers in the Australian squad. Canberra's win in the 1994 grand final, and his performances for Queensland and Australia, confirmed his reputation as the best dummy-half runner in the world. Despite the good form of Ben Elias in NSW's State of Origin wins in 1993-94, Walters retained his place on the 1994 Kangaroo Tour and produced a man-of-the-match effort in the deciding Test of the Ashes series. After a decade with the Raiders Walters joined former coach Tim Sheens at the North Queensland North Queensland but despite representing Queensland and Australia during 1997’s Super League competition, his two seasons at Townsville were hampered by a career-threatening back injury. At first contemplating retirement after the North Queensland baulked at extending his contract, Walters signed with Newcastle in 1999 but was forced to retire midway through the season due to a recurring knee injury.