Les Kiss has twice met with Rugby Australia officials about becoming the next Wallabies coach

Les Kiss has praised his support staff at the Queensland Reds as he edges closer to becoming the next coach of the Wallabies.

Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has confirmed he has had two meetings with Rugby Australia officials about taking charge of the Wallabies at the completion of Joe Schmidt’s tenure in October.

Kiss is the overwhelming favourite to replace Schmidt, who will stand down at the completion of this year’s Rugby Championship.

“RA are just doing their due diligence in talking to the people who they need to,” Kiss said on Tuesday.

“I’ve had two discussions with them. That’s all I know. It’s in the process.

“That’s been good, the way it’s been handled, because I just concentrate on what I have to do here (with the Reds).

“There have been two conversations. We’ll just wait and see what they want to do.”

Reds coach Les Kiss is tipped to replace the departing Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach in October. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Kiss suggested that if he was appointed Wallabies coach, his support team at the Reds would have played an enormous role in his ascension.

“I’ve got an unbelievably good coaching team around me, a good high performance team, great support from the top as well this year to be able to the things we’d like to do to make sure we go a step further this year. so I’m dead set focused on what we have to do on a weekly basis here,” Kiss said.

“It means a lot on the basis that I know I only get anywhere with good people. I’ve got good people in this group here.

“I don’t think it’s a one-man job, it’s a team job, whatever job you do. Right here in Queensland, we’re doing that to the best of our ability.

“If that means other honours down the track for all our players with a Wallabies jersey, or anyone else going to the Wallabies, that’s great.”

Having beaten the Waratahs 35-15 in the weekend’s interstate grudge match at Suncorp Stadium, the Reds are in a confident mood ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific battle with the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Back to work across the ditch 🐨 pic.twitter.com/SdNYurZFFM

— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) March 18, 2025

“It’s a tough place to go and play, so it’s a good challenge for us to go to Dunedin, under the roof (at Forsyth Barr Stadium),” Kiss said.

“The win against NSW on the weekend certainly has bolstered the confidence as well.”

The Reds will be boosted by the return of lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who will make his first appearance of the season after injuring his leg on Queensland’s pre-season tour of the United Kingdom.

“He’s an imposing figure anyway, but his leadership off the park, even when he’s been injured, has been impressive,” Kiss said.

However, the Queenslanders will be without star flanker Fraser McReight, who hurt his shoulder in the win over the Waratahs.

Originally published as Les Kiss has twice met with Rugby Australia officials about becoming the next Wallabies coach