Joe Schmidt makes bold revelation on Les Kiss’ involvement in Wallabies selection process
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt and his successor Les Kiss.
Les Kiss will have influence on Wallabies selection matters before he replaces Joe Schmidt as the team’s head coach later this year.
That was the word from Schmidt, who will be at the helm for the Wallabies’ opening matches in this year’s Nations Championship campaign before handing over the coaching reins to Kiss.
Australia will host Nations Championship Tests against Ireland, France and Italy in July on successive Saturdays with current Reds boss Kiss taking charge of the Wallabies for the rest of their 2026 international season through until next year’s Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Schmidt and Kiss are no strangers to each other as they were previously part of the same coaching staff when the former was Ireland boss between 2013 and 2019.
“I’ll definitely involve Les in anything selection-wise,” Schmidt told AAP.
‘Very much a collective’
“It’s very much a collective (with the assistant coaches), and on the back of that I’ll run things past Les and there’s a little bit of influence he can have.”
Kiss is set to observe Wallabies’ preparations for their July internationals in Brisbane and Perth before Schmidt leaves the hot seat.
Schmidt hinted that Reds fly-half Tom Lynagh, who has been plagued by injuries and illness this season and only played for 18 minutes during the Brisbane-based outfit’s 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, could still be selected for the Wallabies.
Lynagh is off-contract beyond this season and wouldn’t be qualify to represent the Wallabies under current Rugby Australia eligibility rules if he joins an overseas-based club.
“He’s going to need some sort of game time, but it doesn’t have to be a whole heap, and Tate (McDermott) is another guy in a similar situation,” said Schmidt.
“They have a known value.
“He’s seen there’s a fair bit of confidence shown in him, and he’s pretty keen to be involved with the Wallabies.
“And under the current rules if he did go offshore, he wouldn’t really be accessible to us.
“He could get another couple of years under his belt (in Australia) and then, if he did choose to go offshore, he’d still be (eligible).”
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Jordan Petaia back in selection frame
Meanwhile, Schmidt also revealed that he has been in contact with Wallabies utility back Jordan Petaia, who has impressed since joining French club Perpignan since being waived by the NFL’s LA Chargers last year.
“I talk to Jordy Petaia a bit … he’s looked really good,” he said of the 26-year-old.
“He’s playing big at the moment. He came in as a kid – was always quite lean – but now he’s playing with a bit more authority.”
Schmidt also said that he spoke to experienced fly-halves James O’Connor (Leicester Tigers) and Bernard Foley (Kubota Spears), who are off contract and have been linked to Super Rugby returns.
“A lot more of that will be for Les to answer,” he said which means the veterans are unlikely to be involved in the July Tests.