Kiss new Wallabies coach from 2026

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Les Kiss said it would be “the honour of a lifetime” to lead Australia in their home 2027 World Cup after being unveiled as Joe Schmidt’s successor as Wallabies head coach.

A former Ireland assistant under Schmidt, Queensland Reds coach Kiss will step into Australia’s top coaching post in 2026.

“This is a country that expects a lot in the sporting market, for sure, and I am very clear what I want to do with that team,” Kiss told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday, promising a smooth handover next year.

“The players have a lot of confidence in what’s happening in Rugby Australia at the moment. I am not here to ‘rip and tear’. I am going to make sure that I dovetail as much as I can. And I will bring my points of difference into play, but we have a lot of things in common.”

Kiss, who played rugby league for Australia, is the fifth coach named to lead the Wallabies in six years after Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie, Eddie Jones and Schmidt.

New Zealander Schmidt had been due to step aside after the Rugby Championship later this year, but agreed to extend his tenure until he can hand over the coaching role to Kiss, Rugby Australia said.

“My intention to finish at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship has been adjusted to fit with Les’ availability,” said Schmidt, who has presided over six Test wins and seven defeats.

He took over after Jones’ disastrous second stint in charge when Australia failed to get to the knockout stage at the 2023 World Cup.

Kiss spent eight years with Ireland as assistant coach, helping them to Six Nations Championships in 2009, 2014, 2015, and a Grand Slam in 2009. Schmidt was Ireland head coach from 2013-19.

“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,” said Kiss.

“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 with the Wallabies.”

Kiss can now see out his club contract in Queensland, meaning Rugby Australia will avoid paying an expensive release fee to the Reds.

“I am thrilled to continue with the Reds for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season before transitioning into the Wallabies environment,” said Kiss who returned to Australia in 2023 after stints as director of rugby at Irish club Ulster, as head coach of London Irish and as an assistant coach with Ireland.

He will take over after a long coaching career that started in rugby league with the London Broncos in 1999, included a stint as defence coach for South Africa in 2001–02, and was an assistant with the Waratahs from 2002 until 2008, helping them reach two Super Rugby finals.

“It has certainly been a privilege to be involved with the Wallabies,” said Schmidt. “The staff and players have worked hard but we all know there’s a lot more hard work ahead of us with the British and Irish Lions here in a few months’ time.”

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Matt King/Getty Images

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