RUGBY AUSTRALIA HAVE confirmed that Les Kiss will be the next Wallabies coach.
Kiss, currently coaching Queensland Reds in Super Rugby, is to take over from Joe Schmidt after the New Zealander said in February he would stand down at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship.
That time frame has now been adjusted as Kiss will take charge from mid-2026 through to the end of 2028, with Schmidt to continue in the role of Wallabies head coach until that time.
The 60-year-old Australian Kiss was widely considered the frontrunner after NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar ruled himself out of the race.
We're pleased to announce the appointment of Les Kiss as our next Head Coach from mid-2026, with Joe Schmidt continuing in the role until that time 🦘
Rugby Australia have stated that the transition of the head coach position after the Australian leg of the Nations Cup in 2026 provides the Wallabies with:
“Minimal disruption to the Australian Rugby ecosystem with Kiss to complete his contract with the Reds in 2026.”
“An orderly transfer from Schmidt to Kiss between the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025 and the Rugby World Cup in 2027.”
“14 additional Tests for Schmidt to build upon the foundations established in 2024 over and above his initial 17-Test commitment.”
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Schmidt said he was looking forward to extending his tenure with the Wallabies.
“My intention to finish at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship has been adjusted to fit with Les’s availability,” Schmidt said. “I think he’s doing a great job with the Reds, so it was important to dovetail with his responsibilities there.
“It has certainly been a privilege to be involved with the Wallabies – 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.
“For my family, the extension until the end of next July means that they will spend more time with me in Sydney so we will hopefully find a good balance.”
Australia's Head Coach Joe Schmidt before last year's game against Ireland. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Kiss returned to Australia in 2023 after stints as director of rugby at Ulster, as head coach of London Irish, and as an assistant coach with Ireland.
Kiss said leading the Wallabies at a home Rugby World Cup in 2027 was “the honour of a lifetime”.
“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,” Kiss said. “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.
“I am thrilled to continue with the Reds for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season before transitioning into the Wallabies environment. 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.
“I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of Australian Rugby.”
The Wallabies will appoint a fifth coach in six years after Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie, Eddie Jones and Schmidt, and one that can take them through to the 2027 World Cup, which Australia will host.
Schmidt has presided over six Test wins and seven defeats since he took over after Jones’s disastrous second stint in charge.
Jones oversaw Australia’s first-ever World Cup exit before the knockout stage in 2023.
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Australia confirm Les Kiss will be their next head coach
LAST UPDATE | 29 Apr
RUGBY AUSTRALIA HAVE confirmed that Les Kiss will be the next Wallabies coach.
Kiss, currently coaching Queensland Reds in Super Rugby, is to take over from Joe Schmidt after the New Zealander said in February he would stand down at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship.
That time frame has now been adjusted as Kiss will take charge from mid-2026 through to the end of 2028, with Schmidt to continue in the role of Wallabies head coach until that time.
The 60-year-old Australian Kiss was widely considered the frontrunner after NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar ruled himself out of the race.
Rugby Australia have stated that the transition of the head coach position after the Australian leg of the Nations Cup in 2026 provides the Wallabies with:
Schmidt said he was looking forward to extending his tenure with the Wallabies.
“My intention to finish at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship has been adjusted to fit with Les’s availability,” Schmidt said. “I think he’s doing a great job with the Reds, so it was important to dovetail with his responsibilities there.
“It has certainly been a privilege to be involved with the Wallabies – 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.
“For my family, the extension until the end of next July means that they will spend more time with me in Sydney so we will hopefully find a good balance.”
Kiss returned to Australia in 2023 after stints as director of rugby at Ulster, as head coach of London Irish, and as an assistant coach with Ireland.
Kiss said leading the Wallabies at a home Rugby World Cup in 2027 was “the honour of a lifetime”.
“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,” Kiss said. “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.
“I am thrilled to continue with the Reds for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season before transitioning into the Wallabies environment. 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.
“I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of Australian Rugby.”
The Wallabies will appoint a fifth coach in six years after Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie, Eddie Jones and Schmidt, and one that can take them through to the 2027 World Cup, which Australia will host.
Schmidt has presided over six Test wins and seven defeats since he took over after Jones’s disastrous second stint in charge.
Jones oversaw Australia’s first-ever World Cup exit before the knockout stage in 2023.
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