Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has declared he has “too much respect” for Wallabies mentor Joe Schmidt to entertain the prospect of taking the Test reigns, as the code looks for contingency plans should the position become vacant.
Schmidt is yet to confirm his future beyond this year’s British and Irish Lions tour, with the sport’s governing body reportedly hopeful he will recommit until at least the 2027 World Cup.
He signed a short-term deal, for family reasons, following the ill-fated Eddie Jones era, and has since embarked on a rebuild which culminated in a promising Spring Tour at the end of last year.
Joe Schmidt back in Sydney for Wallabies training with a decision to make on his futureCredit: Rugby Australia
Should Schmidt vacate the position, Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific coaches would be high on RA’s radar, and Kiss looms as an intriguing prospect.
The 60-year-old took the Reds to the quarterfinals last year – defeating New Zealand juggernauts the Highlanders, Crusaders and Chiefs – and leads 22 players who either donned the Wallabies’ colours or featured for Australia A in 2024.
He also worked under Schmidt as an assistant when the pair spearheaded Ireland into an international powerhouse.
However, Kiss is contracted with the Reds until the end of 2026, and on Thursday insisted his sole focus was on delivering Super Rugby glory to Queensland.
“I’ve got too much respect for Joe to go down that path. I can give you one thing … the professional staff we have that lead our performance program, we’re contracted here, so we’re going to be doing our best to deliver what’s necessary for this team to go forward and be better every day,” Kiss said.
“We’ve got to get focused on the Reds and go forward, that’s what we’re excited about. It’s too important … that’s what we’re focused on, that’s what we’re driven to go out and make sure we deliver.
“I’m loving what I’m doing at the moment, me and the rest of the staff are in a place where we’re really driven and focused to do the best for the boys every day. That’s the thing we do to serve Rugby Australia.”
After naming Liam Wright and Tate McDermott as his captains for the upcoming season, Kiss will shift his attention to ensuring the bulk of his squad remains intact for the foreseeable future.
Australian stars Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Jock Campbell headline the list of players without a deal in 2026.
While players have become accustomed to signing one or two-year deals, Kiss expressed hope longer-term contracts could be arranged as rugby approaches a new broadcast deal while awaiting an injection of cash flow from the British Lions tour.
“The list management process is always tricky when there’s money involved and knowing when that flow is going to come in, it certainly makes it an interesting process to get it right,” Kiss said.
“We’re working with RA to make sure we can do the best we can and keep the players we want, and that’s important on a number of fronts.
“You want to try and keep people as long as possible, and hit that sweet spot, but they also have got to manage what they want from their career as well. I know myself and [general manager of rugby operations] Sam [Cordingley] are working with RA to make sure we can get that right.”
