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Gorden Tallis expresses frustration at Kangaroos cultural role report in on-air showdown

Lachlan Harper
Lachlan Harper

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Gorden Tallis has addressed reports the NRL won't allow Kevin Walters to appoint him for a cultural figurehead role with the Kangaroos, expressing his disappointment how the story broke.

Tallis explained a meeting between the Australian Rugby League Commission, NRL, and Kevin Walters looms on Wednesday around the Kangaroos setup.

The Sydney Morning Herald originally reported Walters' request to have Tallis in a cultural role would be rejected.

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On Triple M's Sunday Sin Bin, Tallis took aim at Nine and the Herald's Michael Chammas who broke the story, stating his frustration he hadn't been contacted about the story.

Gorden Tallis on Triple M. Triple M

Tallis also said he hadn't heard from ARLC chair Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. The former Kangaroos forward wasn't sure what role he would have if selected.

"I'm pretty sure you'd be a bit of everything," he said.

"You'd be at training everyday, you'd look at video, help out the players, try to mentor ... try to keep it light and relaxing off the field. If you've got to run the water or do whatever, I'm pretty sure that's what you'd do."

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Walters and Tallis were long-time teammates and remain close friends.

Later on Triple M, Chammas confirmed he'd only spoken to Walters and the NRL about the situation. Tallis is also employed by News Corp.

"Speaking to the coach who's requested someone to come along and speaking to the guys who make the decision, they're the two most relevant sources," Chammas said.

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Tallis replied that the decision hasn't been finalised but did confirm the specific culture titled role won't go ahead.

The Broncos great also said he would take any role given to him.

"If my name gets called out on a raffle ticket, it'd be a huge honour," he said.

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Reports also suggest Walters' desire to have Ben Te'o and Trent Barrett as assistant coaches would not be approved. Te'o and Barrett are both aligned to the Broncos.

Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters gestures to the crowd.

Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters gestures to the crowd. Getty

The ARLC does not allow NRL club aligned head coaches coach the Kangaroos, with Mal Meninga removed as coach when he took over the Perth Bears.

The same is likely to apply for assistants, although Justin Holbrook was an assistant under Meninga. Holbrook is at the Roosters.

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Tallis was unimpressed by that suggestion.

"Our games not that petty, is it?," he said.

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