Wallaby Coach after Joe

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Les Kiss to be named Wallabies coach

After a drawn out negotiation, former Bears and Kangaroos winger Les Kiss is set to be revealed as the next Wallabies coach.

www.smh.com.au

"Kiss will front a media conference on Sydney on Wednesday morning, before joining the Reds in Fiji ahead of their game against the Drua on Saturday."

Did Payto really have to gauge Eddie Jones's opinion on the appointment. Out of all the retirees, he picked Jones?

That made me laugh. Only bloke to respond hey...

 

[Slim 293]

It's such poor editorial management with Nine's digital rugby union page over the past few years, that the most recent article... in this case the big news story of the Kiss' announcement... doesn't appear at the top as the main headline article, but is instead shrunken down at the very bottom of the page under "Popular in Rugby Union."

 

[Braveheart81]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/04/29/exclusive-kiss-bombshell-wallaby-job-delayed-to-mid-2026-reds-retain-coach-for-super-rugby-charge/

Debacle areas now...

 

[LeCheese]

Well that's... something

 

[PhilClinton]

Didn't want to pay a fee to the Reds to secure an early release for Kiss, but will likely pay Schmidt a blank cheque to coach the team until end of 2025 is my read on it.

 

[Alex Sharpe]

Could have just got Cheika and kept Kiss at the Reds…..

 

[Sword of Justice]

Didn't want to pay a fee to the Reds to secure an early release for Kiss, but will likely pay Schmidt a blank cheque to coach the team until end of 2025 is my read on it.

That would be a pretty good result if attainable really. However, my understanding was that Schmidt didn’t want to keep on going.

The alternative that article alludes to is Lancaster as interim which I think would be an awful result. No continuity between the two most important Wallaby events of the last 20 years and a coach that’s record is strongish but very spotty.

 

[Dctarget]

Classic selfish Reds sabotaging Australian Rugby again

 

[Major Tom]

Truly odd. Isn't Kiss under contract until end of next year, so RA would have to an early release fee anyways? Or would it be less because it's close to out of contract.
I'm so confused that Schmidt is now involved with the EOYT.

 

[Slim 293]

If Schmidt stays on for the spring tour then it's not such a big deal...

 

[LeCheese]

Classic selfish Reds sabotaging Australian Rugby again

 

[Mick The Munch]

Classic selfish Reds sabotaging Australian Rugby again

Yes, Daniel Herbert has been a sleeper agent all this time....

 

[KOB1987]

If Schmidt stays on for the spring tour then it's not such a big deal...

It's probably a win in fact.

 

[Dctarget]

you're just jealous you have Suncorp instead of the glorious Tarneit Colosseum.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Feels appropriate to look see Mad Max after those scenes of the Tarneit surrounds.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

"It’s unclear who will be charged with leading the Wallabies in those five Tests,"

Do it.

 

[Slim 293]

The Roar article has since been updated...

Instead, sources have told The Roar that Schmidt will continue to oversee the Wallabies’ program for the rest of the year, having extended his deal for the second time this year.

 

[LeCheese]

So basically it was either pay Schmidt to begrudgingly hang around for a bit longer, or pay the Reds to get Les earlier?

Not the worst outcome.

 

[Slim 293]

Nine with the same mail...

Except Schmidt to stay on until the middle of next year:

Joe Schmidt will stay on as Wallabies coach for the Spring Tour and until the middle of 2026 as part of a coaching transition that will see Les Kiss only step up at the end of his contract with Queensland next year.

Schmidt to stay on as Wallabies coach until 2026 as part of Kiss handover

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has extended his contract and will take the national side on the Spring Tour as part of a handover to his successor Les Kiss.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Wilson]

Nine with the same mail...

Except Schmidt to stay on until the middle of next year:

Schmidt to stay on as Wallabies coach until 2026 as part of Kiss handover

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has extended his contract and will take the national side on the Spring Tour as part of a handover to his successor Les Kiss.

www.theage.com.au

Makes sense for Schmidt to stick it out until the end of Super while they're transitioning - there's no travel burden or requirement for significant hands on work during that part of the season so it doesn't conflict with his family commitments. Great opportunity for a manged transition too.