Les Kiss to be announced as new Wallabies coach amid last-minute travel bookings for Fiji game

The Wallabies have locked in their next head coach - with the arrival of their fifth head coach in six years following a last-minute travel booking switch.

Les Kiss is finally set to be unveiled as the new Wallabies coach on Wednesday, bringing the worst kept secret in Australian rugby to an end.

Code Sports understands that additional travel plans are being made so Kiss can attend a press conference in Sydney, while his Queensland Reds players will be on a flight to Fiji for their match against the Drua this weekend.

Kiss was to have been on the flight with his squad, but is now likely to speak to media in Sydney, and then board a direct flight to Suva later on Wednesday.

Les Kiss is set to be unveiled as Wallabies coach. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

It has taken far longer than Rugby Australia expected to settle on Kiss as the successor to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who announced in January he would be stepping down from the role due to family commitments.

There have been numerous discussions and negotiation between RA and the QRU, who have Kiss contracted through to the end of the 2026 Super Rugby season, but in recent days have allowed the coach to depart early to take on the national job.

There is still no decision on the Wallabies assistant coaches, and whether Kiss could bring in his own team if he wishes. That will come at a later time.

Schmidt will step down at the end of The Rugby Championship in October, leaving Kiss to drive the team forward, starting against Eddie Jones’ Japan on October 25 in Tokyo, followed by the spring tour, in preparation for the 2027 home World Cup for which Kiss will be contracted to.

The former North Sydney Bears rugby league player worked with Schmidt in Ireland, and with the current coach keen to stay on in an advisory role, it’s understood Kiss will keep Schmidt involved with the Wallabies from his home in New Zealand throughout the World Cup build-up and during the tournament.

Joe Schmidt will step down in October.. Picture: Adrian Dennis / AFP

Kiss will become the fifth Wallabies coach in the past six years as failure, boardroom power plays and personal circumstances have seen Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie, Jones, Schmidt and now Kiss given the role.

Kiss has the Reds in fourth on the Super Rugby table with five rounds remaining, with six wins and three losses – the least of any Australian team.

The 60-year-old spoke on Monday of the importance of planning in the next block of three games that will see them on the road against Drua, NSW Waratahs and the Brumbies.

“None of them are easy, we’ve got to go away and back our game, back our way, get our recovery right, get our travel sequences right,” Kiss said.

“We’ve put a lot of planning into it. The proof’s in the pudding. We’ll see where we go.

“As much as they’re challenges, they’re opportunities for us to turn the tables on other teams on the competition ladder and put pressure on those situations. We look after ourselves and I think we’ll be okay.”

Originally published as Les Kiss to be announced as new Wallabies coach amid last-minute travel bookings for Fiji game