Les Kiss Set To Take Reins As Next Wallabies Head Coach

What started as speculation in the closed doors of Brisbane has come to be true. Les Kiss is set to be named by Rugby Australia as the next Wallabies head coach.

Les Kiss, who still leads the Queensland Reds up to 2026, will pick up from Joe Schmidt after this year’s Rugby Championship. The official announcement is expected to be made on Wednesday, marking the end of an era for Joe Schmidt. However, the formal handover may go up to 2026, with the change steering the direction for Australia’s 2027 World Cup campaign.

Schmidt, who took over from Eddie Jones after last year’s World Cup debacle, made it public that he would be stepping away as Wallabies coach for family reasons. While previous speculation suggested that Kiss could possibly step into the coaching role after the Rugby Championship, reports suggest a different timeline.

Being the former Kangaroos winger, Kiss has good comprehension of the game and an astounding coaching background, including successful matches with Ireland and Ulster. His experience will play a crucial role in guiding the Wallabies towards the 2027 World Cup.

Looking back on Kiss’s impact, Red’s player Sere Uru emphasized the importance of utilizing skills and the positive influence on team dynamics. Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones also expressed his confidence in Kiss's appointment, noting he had completed an apprenticeship. He also mentioned Kiss’s successful stints at Ulster and London Irish.

With Rugby Australia having cycled through five coaches in six years, officials are hopeful that Kiss will bring the continuity and innovation required to stabilize the program.