Rugby Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Les Kiss as the next Wallabies Head Coach from mid-2026 through to the end of 2028, with Joe Schmidt to continue in the role of Wallabies Head Coach until that time.
The transition of the Head Coach position after the Australian leg of the Nations Cup in 2026 provides the Wallabies with:
- Minimal disruption to the Australian Rugby ecosystem with Kiss to complete his contract with the Reds in 2026,
- An orderly transfer from Schmidt to Kiss between the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025 and the Rugby World Cup in 2027,
- 14 additional Tests for Schmidt to build upon the foundations established in 2024 over and above his initial 17-Test commitment.
Schmidt and Kiss have enjoyed a strong coaching relationship for well over a decade, including a successful stint with Ireland that included three Six Nations titles and a Rugby World Cup in 2015.
Schmidt said he was looking forward to extending his tenure with the Wallabies.
“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.
“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.”
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 an incredibly successful period with Ireland which included a Grand Slam in 2009, Six Nations titles in 2009, 2014 and 2015 and two Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in 2011 and 2015.
Most recently, he has been instrumental in creating a thriving high-performance environment at the Queensland Reds, having previously spent six years as a member of the Waratahs coaching staff.
Kiss said leading the Wallabies at a home Rugby World Cup in 2027 was “the honour of a lifetime”.
“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.”
Phil Waugh, Rugby Australia’s Chief Executive, said the transition of the Wallabies Head Coach position from Schmidt to Kiss in 2026 was the best possible outcome for the Wallabies and the broader Australian Rugby ecosystem.
Schmidt was initially contracted with the Wallabies until the end of this year’s British and Irish Lions series and announced in February he would extend his tenure with the Wallabies through to the conclusion of the 2025 The Rugby Championship.
“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.”
Peter Horne, Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance, said Schmidt and Kiss were well placed to continue the positive trajectory of the Wallabies.
“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.”
