Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has refused to be drawn on links between him and the Wallabies’ top job, declaring his focus is no further ahead than his side’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign launch on Friday night.
Kiss has been strongly touted as a possible replacement to Joe Schmidt at the end of the year, despite being contracted to Ballymore for 2026.
The Reds’ coach worked under Schmidt as an assistant when the Kiwi turned Ireland into a world rugby powerhouse.
Reds coach Les Kiss has been touted as a natural successor to Joe Schmidt at the Wallabies.Credit: Getty
A glut of Test squad members are also under Kiss’ tutelage at Ballymore, with the playing group embracing his open, attacking style, which encourages them to trust their instincts and skill.
Wallabies captain and Queensland No.8 Harry Wilson dismissed suggestions he would be in Kiss’ ear, urging him to push himself forward as Schmidt’s heir apparent, saying: “I have not spoken to him about it at all … he’s got so much on his plate right now.”
And while Kiss confirmed he had engaged in “a small chat” with Rugby Australia, he would not entertain the prospect of taking the Australian role ahead of the Reds’ clash with Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
Even when asked if he was interested in coaching the Wallabies, he simply replied: “I’m interested in winning against Moana this weekend.
“It’s open knowledge RA have spoken to all the coaches in Australia … but I am focused on getting this right this weekend. Moana in their own right have a right to be very confident,” Kiss said, after his forthcoming rivals went down 45-44 to the Western Force in Perth.
“That’s my respect for this team, to go out there and make sure we make a good fist of what we have in our first game. I’ve got too much respect for my team to be talking about anything other than the plan we’ve put in place.”
Kiss’ Reds will be deprived of Wallabies recruit Lukhan Salakaia-Loto as he nurses a knee injury sustained on the club’s UK tour.
Co-captain Liam Wright also remains on the sidelines while recovering from shoulder surgery, but is “so close, it’s not funny” to taking the field again next week.
The pair form part of the Queensland contingent coming off contract in 2025; joined by fellow Wallabies stars Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Filipo Daugunu and Josh Flook.
Kiss confirmed he intended to extend his stars on longer deals than the short-term contracts that have been common in recent years, to establish player continuity ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Having arranged clashes with Wales, Tonga, Saitama Wild Knights, Ulster and Bristol in the off season, he believes refreshing the rugby calendar will prove his side’s greatest retention tool.
“We definitely want to make sure we keep the keepers for sure, [but] there’s pressure around the rugby market we can’t control,” Kiss said.
“But what do we control? One of the things we’ve decided at the Reds is, if we can provide many opportunities, like playing against Wales, going to Tonga … those types of experiences are important about why people want to stay in the club.
“It says a lot about, not just the ambition of the place, but about the brand of the Reds. The more we put it out there, it becomes more recognised, and we get the chance to retain players through the fact we put good programs in place.
“That helps with recruitment, not just retention. Players want to be involved in something as exciting as that.
“Our drive this year is to make sure we can broker some other deals to make sure we get some experiences here again at the end of the season.”
Queensland Reds squad vs Moana Pasifika
1. Sef Fa’agase; Richie Asiata; 3. Massimo De Lutiis; 4. Josh Canham; 5. Ryan Smith; 6. Seru Uru; 7. Fraser McReight (vc); 8. Harry Wilson; 9. Tate McDermott (c); 10. Tom Lynagh; 11. Filipo Daugunu; 12: Hunter Paisami; 13. Josh Flook; 14. Tim Ryan; 15. Jock Campbell
Reserves: 16. Matt Faessler; 17. George Blake; 18. Zane Nonggorr; 19. Angus Blyth; 20. Joe Brial; 21. Kalani Thomas; 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips; 23. Lachie Anderson
Injured: Matt Gibbon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Liam Wright, Mason Gordon, Jude Gibbs, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Alex Hodgman
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