Rugby Australia has officially announced that Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss will replace Joe Schmidt as the coach of the Wallabies. Here’s what you need to know about Kiss’ agreement with Rugby Australia and the experience he brings to the role.
The contract
Kiss will begin his tenure as Australia’s coach in 2026. Originally, Schmidt had planned to step down after this year’s Rugby Championship, but he extended his contract to allow Kiss to fulfil some of his obligations with the Reds.
Schmidt said: “My intention to finish at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship has been adjusted to fit with Les’s availability. I think he’s doing a great job with the Reds, so it was important to dovetail with his responsibilities there.”
When he takes the job in the middle of 2026, Kiss will be contracted on a two-year deal. That will ensure that Kiss is the coach of the Wallabies for the side’s home World Cup in 2027.
Who is Les Kiss?
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After carving out his playing career in rugby league as a winger, Kiss began coaching rugby union in 2001. He served as an assistant coach for the Springboks, the Waratahs, and Ireland. In Ireland, Kiss worked with Schmidt, who was the side’s head coach, and the pair helped the side win back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2014 and 2015.
The 60-year-old was appointed as Director of Rugby for Irish rugby club Ulster and then head coach at English rugby club London Irish before joining the Reds in 2024.
What he said
Kiss said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for Australian Rugby and I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as Wallabies Head Coach from next year. Joe and I have a strong relationship and a long history of working together, and I am looking forward to building upon the excellent foundations he has laid… To coach our national team through such an important period, highlighted by a home Rugby World Cup in 2027, is the honour of a lifetime and an opportunity I am truly grateful for.”
What’s next?
The Wallabies’ first fixture of 2025 will be against Fiji on Sunday 6 July. That will be followed by the first of three matches against the British and Irish Lions on 19 July.
