Kiss set to be confirmed as Australia coach reports

MELBOURNE - Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss will be confirmed as Joe Schmidts successor at the Wallabies on Wednesday but may not take on the role until the middle of next year, local media reported.

Kiss, who worked closely with Schmidt at Ireland, will be the Wallabies fifth coach in six years and is expected to steer the team through to the 2027 World Cup on home soil.

Governing body Rugby Australia (RA) declined to comment on the reports but confirmed there would be an announcement at a press conference in Sydney on Wednesday.

Schmidt, who replaced Eddie Jones after the Wallabies horror 2023 World Cup in France, announced in February he would step down after the Rugby Championship to spend more time with his family and help look after his youngest son, who has severe epilepsy.

However, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported the New Zealander will stay on as Wallabies coach until Kiss sees out his Reds contract at the end of the 2026 Super Rugby season.

Some fans would be glad if Schmidt were to remain longer in the role than he intended, having brought confidence back to the Wallabies by the end of last season following Joness tumultuous and short-lived second stint.

Queensland rugby would also prefer to retain Kiss and have more time to arrange a replacement.

Kiss has been linked with the Wallabies role for months but declined to comment on his ambitions, barring confirmation in February that he had discussed the job with RA.

The former rugby league international switched to coaching rugby union over 20 years ago and ran Irelands defence under Declan Kidney when the Irish won the 2009 Six Nations and a first Grand Slam since 1948.

He remained defence coach when Schmidt succeeded Kidney in 2013 and helped the