“It Feels Just Right”: Why Les Kiss Is the Leading Contender for the Wallabies Coaching Role

According to Morgan Turinui, head coach of the Queensland Reds, Les Kiss is the leading candidate to step into the role of Wallabies head coach, succeeding Joe Schmidt.

Kiss has been touted for the position ever since Schmidt revealed he would be stepping down after the Rugby Championship concludes in October.

Both Kiss and Schmidt share a history of collaboration while with Ireland, and it’s possible they could reunite with the Wallabies leading up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Schmidt has expressed a desire to spend more time in New Zealand due to family commitments, although he is open to an advisory role with Rugby Australia if the incoming coach is amenable to such an arrangement.

Other candidates include former Wallabies assistants Dan McKellar, currently with the NSW Waratahs, and Stephen Larkham of the ACT Brumbies.

“We’d definitely prefer to persuade him to stay on. He’s done an incredible job,” Turinui said of Schmidt during an appearance on Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

“I consider Les Kiss to be the frontrunner among the Australian coaches in contention. His experience stands out,” Turinui remarked. He added, “He maintains strong ties with the Irish setup and seems to be a natural fit considering the good work he did with the Reds last season, where they are expected to keep building on their progress. He coached me two decades ago at the Waratahs, and he’s exceptional – both as a coach and as a person.”

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“It would be fascinating to see a former Origin player, especially from Queensland, potentially leading the Wallabies,” Turinui noted.

His comments come ahead of the Reds’ recent defeat, where they fell 43-19 to the Crusaders in Christchurch.

The Reds currently hold a 2-1 record, placing them fifth in the Super Rugby Pacific standings.

McKellar has guided the Waratahs, who previously held the wooden spoon last year, to a perfect 3-0 start, making them the only unbeaten squad in the competition.

Larkham led the 2-2 Brumbies to a significant 21-20 victory over last year’s champions, the Blues, at Eden Park on Friday night.

“Both of them are contenders,” said Turinui. “McKellar brings a toughness to the Waratahs, which is essential for the Wallabies, while Larkham possesses extensive experience in coaching as well.”

“You’d want your résumé to surpass that of Michael Cheika to be a serious contender for this role, although I don’t anticipate Cheika being a candidate.”

“If it’s not an Australian, it should be an internationally recognised coach with a wealth of experience, perhaps someone like Vern Cotter who has had success against the Blues.”

“This means we should avoid taking a gamble on a relatively inexperienced international coach like Ronan O’Gara, especially with a home World Cup two years away.”

Turinui agreed with Schmidt’s sentiment of cautious optimism.

“We are experiencing a measured sense of hope. The Waratahs have achieved three consecutive victories, their best start since 2009. They were physical and efficient in their win over the Western Force, showcasing exactly what was required. The Tahs appear in fine form and are heading into a significant State of Origin clash against Queensland next week.”

The Wallabies are also keeping a close watch on the Six Nations as they gear up for the British and Irish Lions visit later this year.

Defending champions Ireland faced a surprising defeat to France, losing 42-27 in Dublin on Sunday (AEDT).

“Irish players are likely to make up a significant portion of the British and Irish Lions squad,” noted Turinui. “Andy Farrell is the Lions’ coach alongside his role as Irish coach. This could potentially benefit Australia if Ireland finishes lower in the rankings, meaning Farrell may feel compelled to select a broader array of non-Irish players. This could dilute the cohesion that often poses challenges when forming a Lions team composed of players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Therefore, if you’re a Wallabies fan, you might find yourself supporting against Ireland.”