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Les Kiss is set to be unveiled as Joe Schmidt’s successor in the coming days after the Queensland Rugby Union met on Wednesday evening to discuss his move to the Wallabies.
Although it’s believed the QRU have yet to agree to terms for that to occur, The Roar understands the Reds are in principle willing to let Kiss out of his “watertight” three-year deal, which ends following the 2026 Super Rugby season. It comes after Rugby Australia nominated him as their preferred candidate to take over from Schmidt in October.
But the QRU, who, unlike the Brumbies and Waratahs, remain independent from Rugby Australia has been forced to consider what compensation they should get for letting Kiss join the Wallabies.
Sources have told The Roar that while the Reds support Kiss’ ambitions, losing him in the middle of their surge up the Super Rugby Pacific standings after a decade-long rebuild wasn’t in their initial plans. After all, it was the Reds who brought Kiss back to Australia.
As such, the QRU will likely discuss with RA what commercial arrangement can be made to ensure they’re left in a strong position in 2026 should Kiss depart the Reds.
While Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh last week said he was willing for a job sharing arrangement to occur in 2026, it’s understood the realities of that happening have become less appealing by the day.
It comes after Dan McKellar cautioned against the move occurring, saying it would be a “massive job” to combine both roles.
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss is expected to be unveiled as Joe Schmidt’s successor in the coming days. (Photo by Brendan Hertel, QRU)
The QRU board meeting occurred just hours after Rugby Australia held its Annual General Meeting, where the governing body announced a $36.8 million deficit. Two new board members – Kathleen Bozanic and Louise Higgins – were also elected.
Waugh told reporters following the AGM that they planned to announce Schmidt’s successor “imminently”.
“We think we’ve landed on a good spot and we’re keen to answer sooner rather than later,” Waugh said.
“I’m hoping to announce imminently. We want to get it right. We’ve been very considered in our processes and appointments.
“We want to give clarity to the Australian public and we are working as quickly as we can. The next coach will lead us into a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.”
While it was hoped an announcement could be made as soon as Friday, it’s likely the appointment will be confirmed next week.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said the governing body had landed in a “good spot” to find Joe Schmidt’s successor. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Who takes over from Kiss remains a fundamental issue for the Reds and the longer the hunt for Schmidt’s replacement has dragged out will undoubtedly make the QRU’s quest to find his successor more difficult.
Indeed, The Roar can reveal that new Western Force consultant Leon MacDonald is down to the last two to take over from Michael Cheika at Leicester Tigers. It’s believed his challenger for the role is club legend Graham Rowntree.
MacDonald accepted a short-term deal with the Force earlier this year to oversee the entire Super Rugby franchise. It came seven months after abruptly leaving Scott Robertson’s new-look All Blacks coaching team.
Should MacDonald win the race to take over the proud English club, it will mean another top-shelf coach is out of the race before the Reds get into the market to see who is available.
With most coaching roles already set in stone in the lead-up to the World Cup, it won’t be easy luring a well-recognised coach Down Under for the role.
The Reds will likely have some options at home, with rising coach Zane Hilton expected to remain at Ballymore as RA seeks to work alongside Kiss to find his assistants.
