Walters resumes with Brisbane,
Berrigan still in doubt

Former rugby league international Kevin Walters has shown there are no hard feelings over his sacking as Brisbane assistant, renewing ties with the Broncos today.

Walters' long association with the NRL club was extended at Bundaberg today when Brisbane unveiled a 12-month sponsorship deal with Bundaberg Rum. Walters happily rubbed shoulders with Brisbane players and Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen while the ex-Test half was named the first Bundaberg Rum rugby league ambassador as part of the new deal.

Walters has also applied for the Newcastle head coach job that will be vacated by Parramatta-bound mentor Michael Hagan in 2007.

Meanwhile Brisbane hooker Barry Berrigan's rugby league career is in the balance due to constant neck pain.

The Broncos workaholic is receiving ongoing treatment on his neck after waking up with the pain three weeks ago. Berrigan consulted a spinal surgeon last night but Broncos medical staff are still trying to diagnose the best treatment for the 30-year-old.

Broncos team doctor Peter Friis has confirmed the pain is unrelated to Berrigan's surgery in 2004 when he had two vertebrae fused. Berrigan opted to miss the NRL club's bus trip to Bundaberg today. The Broncos contingent featured Berrigan's likely replacement Michael Ennis as well as Brad Thorn, Nick Parfitt, Brett Seymour and David Stagg also visited Childers today as part of the NRL Community Carnival.