Rugby Australia news 2025 | Les Kiss Wallabies coach, Joe Schmidt transition, 2027 World Cup

Joe Schmidt will hand the Wallabies reins to Les Kiss next year after Rugby Australia was able to twist his arm into extending his stay for a second time.

The contract of Wallabies coach Schmidt originally ended after this year’s British and Irish Lions series but in February he announced he would stay until the completion of the Rugby Championship in October.

On Wednesday, RA confirmed that Schmidt would now stay at the helm until after the Australian leg of the inaugural Nations Cup in 2026.

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Kiss will then take over as national boss after seeing out his contract with the Queensland Reds.

“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.

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“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.”

Schmidt and Kiss have worked together successfully with Ireland and will front a press conference together in Sydney on Wednesday morning.

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It completes a remarkable career arc for Kiss, the former North Sydney Bears, Queensland and Australia rugby league winger.

Kiss’ decorated coaching career has spanned more than 20 years and included senior roles in Australia, Ireland, England and South Africa.

At an international level, Kiss has served as an assistant coach with the Springboks and was part of a dream run with Ireland which included a Grand Slam in 2009, Six Nations titles in 2009, 2014 and 2015 and Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in 2011 and 2015.

He has the Reds sitting fourth of 11 teams after 11 rounds of Super Rugby Pacific this season.

Kiss has signed on until 2028.

“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.”

RA chief executive Phil Waugh will be relieved to confirm the news after months of uncertainty, which included losing starting No.10 Noah Lolesio to a deal in France next season.

“We are delighted Joe will continue as Wallabies’ head coach for an additional year before handing over to the vastly experienced and credentialed Les Kiss in 2026,” Waugh said.

“I have always been a big believer in the importance of team culture and, in Joe and Les, we have successive Wallabies head coaches who have built some of the strongest cultures in Australia and around the world.

“RA made clear from the outset our goal of achieving continuity with the Wallabies and minimal disruption to Super Rugby clubs. Joe remaining with the Wallabies for an additional year and Les taking over after completing his final year with the Reds means we have achieved both outcomes, which I’m sure will be welcomed by rugby fans across the country.

“We are confident we have landed on the best possible outcome which allows Australian rugby to enter its next, exciting chapter with confidence and clarity.”

Michael Cheika, Stephen Larkham, Dan McKellar, Stuart Lancaster, Jamie Joseph and Vern Cotter were other coaches linked to the role.

Kiss lacks silverware on his head coaching CV compared to many names on that list but RA’s director of high performance Peter Horne is betting on continuity.

“Joe has worked tirelessly to lift the competitiveness of the Wallabies since joining Australian rugby and I am excited that he will now continue that work,” Horne said.

“Les has also made a positive impression and left a lasting legacy across all his coaching assignments, including with the Queensland Reds since his appointment to the role in mid-2023.

“Both Joe and Les have great attention to detail, powerful work ethics and are renowned around the rugby world for building excellent team cultures, which we have seen with the Wallabies and the Reds respectively.”

The 60-year-old will become the fifth Wallabies coach in seven years while the Reds will start the hunt for his successor.

“The process for identifying the Queensland Reds head coach for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season can be managed with patience,” Reds chief executive David Hanham said.

“We believe that this role is one of the most attractive jobs at a provincial level anywhere in the world. We have a world class high performance facility, staff and playing group shaped for success and a passionate fan base and commercial stability which underpins our ability to control our own destiny.

“With the Olympic Games being held in Brisbane in 2032, this is clearly one of the most attractive places to live and work in global rugby.”