After a 118-day wait, the successor to Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach has finally been confirmed. Les Kiss, current coach of the Queensland Reds, will take over after the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
This appointment concludes a process that has had multiple twists. Schmidt, for his part, has extended his contract and will remain at the helm of the Wallabies until mid-2026, which implies 14 more test matches.
My intention to finish at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship has been adjusted to fit with Les’s availability.
Joe Schmidt
Kiss has signed an agreement with Rugby Australia (RA) that will begin in mid-2026 and will see him lead the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup and through the end of 2028.
It’s an incredibly exciting time for Australian rugby and I am honored by the opportunity to serve as the Wallabies coach starting next year.
Les Kiss
Negotiations between RA and the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) were tense, according to sources. RA initially underestimated QRU’s reluctance to release Kiss, who had built a successful team at the Reds.
Finally, both parties reached a satisfactory agreement. It is understood that RA avoided a compensation payment that would have guaranteed Kiss’s release after this year’s Super Rugby season.
The Reds’ fanbase in Brisbane is growing, as demonstrated by stadium attendance. The QRU, which operates the Reds’ license, sought the best possible outcome for the organization.
Phil Waugh, RA chief, highlighted the importance of stability in Australian rugby and the success of the Kiss-Schmidt succession plan.
We are delighted that Joe will continue as Wallabies coach for another year before handing over the reins to the experienced and accredited Les Kiss in 2026.
Phil Waugh
Kiss’s career in the rugby world includes his time as defense coach for the Springboks in 2001, assistant roles at the Waratahs, Australia Under 21, Australia A, and Ireland, where he worked with Schmidt. Subsequently, he was director of rugby at Ulster and London Irish.
Les Kiss will be formally announced as Joe Schmid’s successor on Wednesday
Attention now turns to which Queensland assistants Kiss might bring with him to the Wallabies. Forwards coach Zane Hilton is highly regarded at Ballymore. The future of current Wallabies assistants Laurie Fisher, Geoff Parling and Mike Cron is also uncertain.
