Kiss to replace Schmidt as Australia head coach in 2026

In 2026, Les Kiss will take over as Australia’s head coach, leading the Wallabies to their first-ever home Rugby World Cup.

Before leading the Wallabies to the first Nations Cup of next year, Schmidt will continue in his position until the upcoming Test series against the British and Irish Lions and the Rugby Championship.

Kiss, who previously served as an Ireland assistant coach under Schmidt, will serve as the Queensland Reds’ head coach until 2026, when Rugby Australia announces an “orderly transfer” in leadership.

The “honor of a lifetime” will be led by Australian Kiss, who will become the Wallabies’ fifth head coach in seven years.

The 60-year-old said, “I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead the Wallabies as head coach from next year,” adding that it’s an “incredibly exciting time for Australian rugby.”

Joe and I have a strong relationship and a long history of working together, and I’m looking forward to building on the solid foundations he laid with the Wallabies,” said Kiss, who was formerly Ulster’s director of rugby and London Irish’s head coach.

Schmidt, a native of New Zealand, had planned to leave in October after winning the Rugby Championship, but he has since extended his stay to facilitate Kiss’ handover.

Following a turbulent start for the Wallabies, Eddie Jones became the former Ireland manager in 2023.

Before the 2023 World Cup, replacement Dave Rennie was fired following England’s quarter-final defeat in the 2019 World Cup.

Before the tournament, Jones signed a five-year deal that ran for only nine months as Australia, for the first time in their history, crashed out of the pool.

Schmidt, who has won six of his 13 matches in charge, said, “My intention to finish at the end of this year’s rugby championship has been adjusted to fit Les’ availability.”

It was crucial to coordinate with his responsibilities there because I believe he is doing a fantastic job with the Reds.

“It has certainly been a privilege to play for the Wallabies; the staff and players have worked hard, but we all know there will be a lot more work to do with the British and Irish Lions here in a few months.”