Introduction of Perth-based Bears to NRL has rugby union wary of a poaching raid

Les Kiss starred on the wing for North Sydney, but the return of the Bears to the NRL in 2027 has the soon-to-be Wallabies coach cautious of a talent raid.

As pleased as Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss is about the return of the Bears to the NRL, he is wary of a potential poaching raid on rugby union’s best talent.

The Bears have been revived under the West Australian banner, with a Perth-based team set to enter the NRL in 2027.

Kiss made 100 top-flight appearances for the North Sydney Bears as a winger from 1986 to 1993 in a rugby league career that included Queensland and Kangaroos honours.

“It is good news to see the Bears back,” Kiss said.

“I’m Bear 842 so I’m a happy man about that.”

However, that happiness is tempered by the likelihood that the Perth club will attempt to persuade rugby union players to switch codes.

“We’re aware that these things are challenges for rugby,” said Kiss, the current Queensland Reds coach who will take charge of the Wallabies in July next year.

“Rugby’s on the rise here without a doubt, so let’s stay positive and optimistic where we’re going.

“We’ve got to be aware we don’t fight on the same battlefield they have.

“(With) the opportunities that rugby offer, we’ve got to extol the virtues of those things.

“It’s an international game, there are opportunities to tour – once you’re in rugby, you can go anywhere in the world.

“We’ve got to make sure we keep those things front and centre, and then there’s a World Cup here (in 2027) coming up. There are a lot of good reasons to stay in the game.”

Reds coach Les Kiss played rugby league for the North Sydney Bears. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

They the interstate grudge match between the Reds and the NSW Waratahs, the latest of which takes place on Friday night at Allianz Stadium.

The Reds are desperate to bounce back from their 36-33 Super Rugby Pacific loss to Fijian Drua in Suva last Saturday.

“We prepped as well as we’d had all year and we just weren’t as good in certain areas that we needed to be,” Kiss said.

“The boys have been very up front about that they need to do to rectify that.

“They’ve taken that hit on the nose and we’ve just got to move forward. The boys have responded exceptionally well this week.”

Fit-again Wallaby Filipo Daugunu will return in the centres for the Reds, replacing the injured Hunter Paisami, who has a corked leg.

“It’s great to have Filipo back for the challenge in Sydney. Filipo has consistently been one of our best this season and he’s ready to fire,” Kiss said.

“He travelled with the team to Fiji last week to finalise his preparation into this week.”

In another change in the backs, flyhalf Tom Lynagh has been recalled to Queensland’s starting side at the expense of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, who drops to the bench.

“It’s always a big game against NSW, a fierce rivalry,” Lynagh said.

“Sydney is a tough place to play but we’ll be up for it.”

In the forwards, locks Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto come in for benched pair Ryan Smith and Angus Blyth, while No.8 Joe Brial has been replaced by John Bryant.

“John Bryant has been patient all year and has worked hard on his game throughout,” Kiss said.

Reds: Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell. Bench: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.