{
  "id": 1585758,
  "title": "Maroons search for new Origin coach suffers double setback",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/maroons-search-for-new-origin-coach-suffers-double-setback",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T23:11:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/cameron-smith-kevin-walters-qld-maroons-coach-search/107048868"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Queensland's next men's State of Origin coach search has faced a double setback. Cameron Smith and Kevin Walters have both ruled themselves out of contention for the role. Billy Slater's old pair of assistants, Matt Ballin and Ben Te'o, are now considered the leading candidates for the position. Smith, the champion hooker and early frontrunner, cited his inability to fully commit to the head-coaching role. Walters, Australia's Test coach, also declined the offer, stating his commitment to his two-year deal with the Kangaroos. This leaves Ballin and Te'o as the primary contenders for the Queensland coach position.",
  "summary": "Billy Slater's old pair of assistants in Matt Ballin and Ben Te'o loom as the two leading candidates to take over as Queensland coach, after Cameron Smith and Kevin Walters rule themselves out of the race.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Maroons search for new Origin coach suffers double setback",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/maroons-search-for-new-origin-coach-suffers-double-setback-1589492",
        "published": "2026-08-17T23:11:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}