NEW Queensland State of Origin rugby league coach Kevin Walters insists he has no hard feelings after Paul Green was initially approached for the role.

Long groomed to replace Mal Meninga at the helm of the champion Maroons, Walters finally had his appointment confirmed on Monday on a three-year deal to the end of 2018.

But it only came after the Queensland Rugby League sounded out North Queensland coach Paul Green for the job, only to be knocked back as Green opted to focus on the Cowboys' NRL title defence.

Walters said he felt honoured and privileged to get the head coaching role he had been seeking at NRL club or Origin level for the past 10 years.

He was not deterred after the Queensland Rugby League first offered the job to Green, saying he made the subsequent phone call to chairman Peter Betros that paved the way for his appointment.

Read more at Brisbanetimes.com.au