Wallabies coach signs contract extension while Les Kiss adds Englishman to backroom staff
Incoming Wallabies head coach Les Kiss and scrum coach John Ulugia (inset).
Rugby Australia (RA) have confirmed that John Ulugia will continue as Wallabies scrum coach while Jonny Fisher has been added to the backroom staff as an assistant.
Incoming Wallabies boss Les Kiss, who will take charge of the team when Joe Schmidt’s tenure as head coach ends after the Nations Championship Tests against Ireland, France and Italy in July, has retained Ulugia’s services on a contract extension through to the end of 2028.
Ulugia initially joined Australia‘s coaching staff during the 2025 end-of-year tour to Europe after Mike Cron retired from his full-time team position as scrum coach to take on an advisory position within RA.
Experienced playing career
A former professional player, Ulugia made 50 Super Rugby appearances during stints with the Waratahs and Brumbies before playing in more than 150 Top 14 matches for Clermont Auvergne and Bayonne and then transitioning into coaching.
The 40-year-old will also continue in his position on the Brumbies’ backroom staff.
Meanwhile, current Queensland Reds assistant coach Fisher will also join the Wallabies’ coaching ranks under Kiss, who he knows well from their time together at the Brisbane-based outfit.
Englishman Fisher moved from London to Brisbane alongside Kiss ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, having also played over 100 professional matches in the United Kingdom, including appearances for the England Sevens and England Saxons.
Ulugia is delighted to extend his coaching stint with the Wallabies.
“It is a privilege to extend my time with the Wallabies. We have a vastly experienced coaching staff here, and I’m eager to continue to work alongside them,” he said.
“Collaborating with Mike (Cron) has been an invaluable learning experience, and I’ll look to keep drawing on his expertise as we strengthen the foundations of this proud playing group.”
Fisher is looking forward to join Australia’s backroom staff.
“It’s clear this group is incredibly hungry to succeed and are keen to work hard for each other,” he said.
“My role will be to support them in every way possible, contributing to a program that sets these players up to perform consistently on the international stage.”
Meanwhile, RA director of high performance Peter Horne said: “We are delighted to secure both John and Jonny for the Wallabies coaching team.
‘Made a positive impact on the Wallabies environment’
“John has thrived during his time at the Brumbies and under the ongoing mentorship of Mike Cron. He made a positive impact on the Wallabies environment from the moment he joined the squad last year and we are excited to continue that association moving forward.
“Jonny has worked closely with Les Kiss dating back to their days at London Irish and, more recently, at the Queensland Reds and we look forward to welcoming him to the Wallabies staff after the first leg of the Nations Championship.
“Together with Les, Scott McLeod, Tom Donnelly and Eoin Toolan, they bring with them a deep understanding of our domestic talent, gained through their extensive Super Rugby Pacific experience, which is a major asset.
“They are both dedicated professionals who bring expertise, stability and continuity to the squad for this Test window and building into next year’s home Rugby World Cup.”