Overview

• Rugby Australia has officially appointed Les Kiss as the next Wallabies head coach, effective mid-2026, following the conclusion of his contract with the Queensland Reds.
• Joe Schmidt, originally set to step down after the 2025 Rugby Championship, will remain as Wallabies coach until mid-2026 to facilitate a seamless handover.
• Kiss has signed a two-year contract to lead the Wallabies through the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted in Australia.
• The appointment follows prolonged negotiations between Rugby Australia and the Queensland Rugby Union to secure Kiss's release from his Reds contract.
• Rugby Australia emphasized the importance of continuity and minimal disruption to the Australian rugby ecosystem during this planned leadership transition.