Australian Rugby / RA

[Strewthcobber]

Is he? We have a landscape of domestic coaches with no titles behind any of them. Kiss could go out this year and win it all with their squad and shoot ahead of everyone but right now would there be a standout candidate? If DM made the Tahs look coherent it would be an impressive effort also.

I hope the powers above are already looking into this and have reached out to some potential candidates if it is a potential post Lions appointment.

I agree. Kiss is the front runner but would also be the least qualified coach (it terms of success) we've had for 25 years

 

[Braveheart81]

I would have thought that the results next year would play a big part in what Joe Schmidt does. If we're competitive against the Lions and things are looking up you'd think he'd want to stay on for two more years to a home RWC and likewise RA would want to keep him.

If we continue to struggle you could certainly see him deciding he doesn't want to continue doing it.

In terms of a replacement I wouldn't want to contract anyone for more than 2 years. Get to the RWC and revisit after that. Kiss might be the guy but you absolutely can't lock in a first time international coach for 6 years and like it or not, the RWC cycle has to be the starting point for coaching hires.

 

[Sword of Justice]

the RWC cycle has to be the starting point for coaching hires.

what makes you say this? Counter cyclical hiring could be an advantage given how many buyers will be in the market at that time.

 

[Wilson]

I think the main thing that has Kiss ahead of Larkham and McKellar (who have similar levels of success but less experience) is that he's seen as something of a continuity candidate - he has significant international coaching experience with Schmidt and can theoretically come in and build on what's there, with less need to re-invent the wheel.

I can't imagine he's more than a nose ahead though, any one of the candidates could easily step ahead with a successful super season.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It could be done as long as clauses in any long term contract protected RA from brutal pay outs.

 

[Dctarget]

Sua'ali'i has at least recouped $50k from his millions in free publicity in Murdoch Media. Nice big spread on the back page of the Daily Tele.

 

[Braveheart81]

what makes you say this? Counter cyclical hiring could be an advantage given how many buyers will be in the market at that time.

It depends who you want.

Two years out from a RWC is certainly a better time than one year out but the Eddie Jones fiasco showed that making a hire at a time when there isn't much talent available on the market means you're severely limited in who you can hire given you're almost certainly going to be hiring assistant coaches as well.

If you're hiring a first time international coach then they will take the job whenever its offered. The question then comes down to the quality of assistant coaching candidates that are available.

 

[Sword of Justice]

It depends who you want.

Two years out from a RWC is certainly a better time than one year out but the Eddie Jones fiasco showed that making a hire at a time when there isn't much talent available on the market means you're severely limited in who you can hire given you're almost certainly going to be hiring assistant coaches as well.

If you're hiring a first time international coach then they will take the job whenever its offered. The question then comes down to the quality of assistant coaching candidates that are available.

Certainly agree the supply also opens up after a cycle however I’m afraid Australia would find it difficult to access the more talented coaches in the available pool given the negative results and governance history that’s following us around now.

 

[Rob42]

Alternative take on Wallabies coach if Schmidt doesn't continue past Lions: appoint John Manenti or Tim Walsh.

For long-term success at the Wallaby level, we need better Super teams. We go into 2025 with possibly the best line-up of Super coaches for a long time. Don't disturb that group - leave Kiss at Qld until at least 2027, and NSW losing McKellar after one season would be a mess. Larkham? Mmm, maybe, the Brumbies cope better with disruption.

But I'd rather see the Super level being supported well in terms of coaching, and for the Wallabies bring in someone who will work well within the current system, and not disrupt the level below. Manenti or Walsh do exactly that. Not sure Cheika does (but I will love him 'til I die based on Tahs 2014).

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't think you can appoint a test coach with such little high end experience in the XVs game nor is any of it recent.

Tim Walsh has literally never coached XVs and John Manenti coached Eastwood.

 

[Rob42]

I don't think you can appoint a test coach with such little high end experience in the XVs game nor is any of it recent.

Tim Walsh has literally never coached XVs and John Manenti coached Eastwood.

Manenti has the technical skills, and players who've come from 7s to Super Rugby consistently seem to be well developed around basic skills, etc. He's obviously well versed in the Australian system. Walsh might be a longer shot, but he's just as good a motivator as Cheika.

We've chosen Wallaby coaches with excellent credentials for the past 17 years, and we've trended downwards the whole time.

 

[Slim 293]

We've chosen Wallaby coaches with excellent credentials for the past 17 years, and we've trended downwards the whole time.

Imagine how much lower we could go if we hired coaches without excellent credentials...

Eddie Jones confirms 2023 Wallabies coaching staff

wallabies.rugby

 

[Tomikin]

I think the main thing that has Kiss ahead of Larkham and McKellar (who have similar levels of success but less experience) is that he's seen as something of a continuity candidate - he has significant international coaching experience with Schmidt and can theoretically come in and build on what's there, with less need to re-invent the wheel.

I can't imagine he's more than a nose ahead though, any one of the candidates could easily step ahead with a successful super season.

You mean Kiss, who the Reds players have said plays a total different game plan to the Wallabies. His one of the 4 Oz Talents. Hopefully, though, we get 4 years of the Schmidt.

 

[Wilson]

You mean Kiss, who the Reds players have said plays a total different game plan to the Wallabies. His one of the 4 Oz Talents. Hopefully, though, we get 4 years of the Schmidt.

Is that what they've said though?

Paisami sees the similarities between the two coaches, who worked together when Schmidt was the Irish coach.

"From the Reds to the Wallabies, I find Les (Kiss) and Joe (Schmidt) very similar," he explained.

Hunter turned Hunted as centre looks to cement Wallabies spot

Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami is eager to retain his starting spot after reflecting on his return to the starting side.

www.rugby.com.au

"I think what Joe is trying to bring isn't too technical, it's pretty simple when he explains it, and for us it's now trying to get the repetition of doing it," Reds back-rower Fraser McReight, who is expected to wear the No. 7 jersey against Wales on Saturday night, said.

"It helps us as Queensland, [because] we've sort of done this for the whole eight months of preseason into the season. So when he speaks it's super simple and super understandable for us. "In terms of the shape, all rugby is a different version of a shape, what's probably more important is getting those combos right. So understanding, for me, how Jake Gordon or Nic White plays; I know how Tate [McDermott] plays; so I think that's probably the important part."

"Joe and Kissy have coached a lot together and being able to come from the Reds system to the Wallabies system there is a lot of crossover, which is great for us Queenslanders," the 25-year-old said. "And being able to help the other boys as to where Joe sees our improvement.

Why the Schmidt Wallabies era might look more red than green

Joe Schmidt enjoyed a stellar stint with Ireland, but the clues to his new assignment with the Wallabies might actually lie with Les Kiss and this year's Queensland Reds.

www.espn.com.au

 

[Tomikin]

Is that what they've said though?

Hunter turned Hunted as centre looks to cement Wallabies spot

Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami is eager to retain his starting spot after reflecting on his return to the starting side.

www.rugby.com.au

Why the Schmidt Wallabies era might look more red than green

Joe Schmidt enjoyed a stellar stint with Ireland, but the clues to his new assignment with the Wallabies might actually lie with Les Kiss and this year's Queensland Reds.

www.espn.com.au

Yes....that is what they said...

McDermott had noted that Schmidt’s tactics were “very different to how every Super Rugby team plays”. However, Schmidt explained that Test rugby requires a different approach.

“It’s obviously different, the way we want to attack. It’s also very different to the way that I’m used to at the Reds,” McDermott said earlier in the week.

Schmidt hits back over Wallabies attack

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has dismissed claims from scrumhalf Tate McDermott that he is focusing on a "narrow" gameplan for the Wallabies.

www.sarugbymag.co.za

“I did get some feedback earlier,” Smith revealed.

“We had a camp the week before the Brissy camp and I met with two of the coaches and went through some clips throughout the whole Super year, which was really cool and cool to see exactly what their selection criteria went off, and some of it was just a little bit differing from what we were expected at the Reds.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/08/...wallabies-debut-amid-roller-coaster-six-weeks

 

[Derpus]

Alternative take on Wallabies coach if Schmidt doesn't continue past Lions: appoint John Manenti or Tim Walsh.

For long-term success at the Wallaby level, we need better Super teams. We go into 2025 with possibly the best line-up of Super coaches for a long time. Don't disturb that group - leave Kiss at Qld until at least 2027, and NSW losing McKellar after one season would be a mess. Larkham? Mmm, maybe, the Brumbies cope better with disruption.

But I'd rather see the Super level being supported well in terms of coaching, and for the Wallabies bring in someone who will work well within the current system, and not disrupt the level below. Manenti or Walsh do exactly that. Not sure Cheika does (but I will love him 'til I die based on Tahs 2014).

Nah.

 

[Wilson]

Yes....that is what they said...

McDermott had noted that Schmidt’s tactics were “very different to how every Super Rugby team plays”. However, Schmidt explained that Test rugby requires a different approach.

“It’s obviously different, the way we want to attack. It’s also very different to the way that I’m used to at the Reds,” McDermott said earlier in the week.

Schmidt hits back over Wallabies attack

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has dismissed claims from scrumhalf Tate McDermott that he is focusing on a "narrow" gameplan for the Wallabies.

www.sarugbymag.co.za

“I did get some feedback earlier,” Smith revealed.

“We had a camp the week before the Brissy camp and I met with two of the coaches and went through some clips throughout the whole Super year, which was really cool and cool to see exactly what their selection criteria went off, and some of it was just a little bit differing from what we were expected at the Reds.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/08/...wallabies-debut-amid-roller-coaster-six-weeks

Those quotes are about super rugby being different from test rugby as a whole, one of them specifically references all of the teams. They don't discount the similarities in style and communication between Schmidt and Kiss.

Just to be clear here, I'm not saying Les Kiss should take over from Schmidt in 2026 or that I want him too - I don't love the idea of cutting his stint short at the Reds while there is still work to do, in the same way that I think McKellar jumping straight from the tahs might be counter productive. I'm just putting forward a reason as to why he is being named as the front runner, at least amongst those local coaches.

 

[Slim 293]

John Eales Medal - Rob Valetini

Wallaroos Player of the Year - Maya Stewart

Shawn Mackay Award for Men's Sevens Player of the Year - Nathan Lawson

Shawn Mackay Award for Women's Sevens Player of the Year - Maddison Levi

Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year - Fraser McReight, QLD Reds

Buildcorp Super Rugby Women's Player of the Year - Siokapesi Palu, ACT Brumbies

Rookie of the Year Award - Tim Ryan, QLD Reds

Junior Men's Player of the Year - Toby Macpherson, ACT Brumbies

Junior Women's Player of the Year - Caitlyn Halse, NSW Waratahs

Cadbury Try of the Year - Tim Ryan, QLD Reds vs. Blues

Fedex Referee of the Year - Nic Berry

Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award - Graeme Tosch, Rugby Victoria

Joe French Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rugby - Kim Evans, Rugby Union South Australia

Geoff 'Bunter' Shaw Community Coach of the Year Award - James Barkell, NSW Rugby

Andrew Cole Community Match Official of the Year - Ian McGowan, QLD Country Rugby Referees

Cadbury Club of the Year - Wagga Wagga Junior Rugby Union Club

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Manenti has the technical skills, and players who've come from 7s to Super Rugby consistently seem to be well developed around basic skills, etc. He's obviously well versed in the Australian system. Walsh might be a longer shot, but he's just as good a motivator as Cheika.

We've chosen Wallaby coaches with excellent credentials for the past 17 years, and we've trended downwards the whole time.

Could be a good coach but Manenti realistically he has the same resume as Darren Coleman. Shute Shield titles and now he's going to the MLR which isn't really going to push his case.

7s is a different event and I expect him to be coaching another nation in a year or two into the next Olympics. I see it being a long path to any major XVs HC role as MLR won't get it done.

Could he be a skills coach in the set up? Absolutely. Or even HC within the U20s potentially where he'd get the work into them.

 

[Tomikin]

Could be a good coach but Manenti realistically he has the same resume as Darren Coleman. Shute Shield titles and now he's going to the MLR which isn't really going to push his case.

7s is a different event and I expect him to be coaching another nation in a year or two into the next Olympics. I see it being a long path to any major XVs HC role as MLR won't get it done.

Could he be a skills coach in the set up? Absolutely. Or even HC within the U20s potentially where he'd get the work into them.

I like that his building, let him shot the shit out of MRL get a job in Japan /. Europe .. at a push one of the super teams... If he dominates there then into the role. I actually like his coaching progression.. Wallabies now narr but keep getting that experience