Potential Joe Schmidt successor confirms ‘small chat’ as counterpart does not expect to be ‘offered’ the Wallabies job
As Rugby Australia (RA) continue their search for Joe Schmidt’s successor, two potential candidates have responded to questions about their interest in the role.
Reds boss Les Kiss is reportedly the leading candidate while Dan McKellar is understood to be in the mix.
Earlier this year, Schmidt and Rugby Australia announced that the head coach would be vacating his role after the 2025 Rugby Championship after leading the side through the British and Irish Lions Series.
With the rumours swirling about who will replace him and a reported meeting between chief executive Phil Waugh and ex-head coach Michael Cheika, Kiss and McKellar fielded questions about their ambitions.
News to McKellar
Reds boss Kiss played a straight bat when asked about the role but did confirm that he has held chats with Rugby Australia.
“I have got Moana this week. It is open knowledge that RA has spoken to all the coaches in Australia,” Kiss said when pressed about the role.
“They have had a small chat with me but I am focused on getting this (Reds team) right.”
When asked if he was interested in the Wallabies job, again Kiss played a straight bat.
“I am interested in winning against Moana. That is my focus, in all honesty,” he said.
“These boys are focused on that. That is my respect for this team, to go out and make sure we make a good fist of our first game.”
News to McKellar
While the Reds boss confirmed that he had spoken with Rugby Australia officials and claimed that all the Australian Super Rugby coaches had, McKellar insisted that was not the case.
“Have we? That’s news to me,” he said.
“I haven’t spoken to ‘Kissy’ in a couple of months but, no, honestly, I’m just cracking on and worrying about the Waratahs.”
Meanwhile, Kiss has backed Schmidt’s decision to step down from the role later this year in order to spend more time with his family.
“For Joe, I am just happy. What he wants to do, that is fine,” he said.
“I said last year that all of us have a great respect for him and what he is doing, I know he is focused on making sure we get (the Wallabies) right this year and we get to the Lions and do something special.”
Cheika return?
Chieka’s supposed meeting with Waugh has caused quite a stir, particularly with his time at Leicester Tigers coming to an end at a similar stage to when Schmidt will depart.
The ex-Wallabies coach previously said that if he was ever offered the gig again, he could never turn it down but that mindset is not necessarily the same for McKellar.
“I’m not expecting to be offered the Wallabies job,” he said.
“I’m at the Waratahs. That’s ‘Cheik’s’ answer. Mine’s obviously different.”
