Tim Horan weighs in on Les Kiss' Wallabies chances

Tim Horan thinks Les Kiss could do it, but has cautioned against double-booking him as Wallabies and Queensland Reds coach in fear of tunnelling out Australian rugby’s recent progress.

Rugby Australia remains on the hunt for Joe Schmidt’s replacement after the New Zealander opted to step down following this year’s Rugby Championship.

Family circumstances meant Schmidt was unable to commit to the travel required in the role, but it’s understood he’s keen to remain involved as an adviser should the new coach request it.

That positions former Australian rugby league winger Kiss as a frontrunner, given the pair’s efforts together as coach and assistant for Ireland.

Kiss is contracted at the Reds for another year and has impressed since arriving from Europe before last season, last week piloting the team to top spot on the Super Rugby ladder for the first time in 13 years.

Horan won two World Cups and played 80 Tests for Australia and thinks Kiss would be able to balance both roles in a quieter 2026 Test calendar, before leaving Ballymore ahead of the World Cup year.

“Certainly I see no problem with that,” Horan told AAP.

“Then, after next season, you’re full-time with the Wallabies.

“That’s doable and Les Kiss is probably one of the only coaches that would say, ‘yes, I’d like Joe still around’.”

Fulfilling both roles is not unprecedented, with Waratahs mentor Michael Cheika taking over from Ewan McKenzie for the 2014 European tour, then continuing in both roles the following year.

Allowing Kiss to follow suit would mean the Reds aren’t flung into a search for a new coach any earlier than otherwise planned.

It would also create a sense of Wallabies continuity if Schmidt remains involved ahead of Australia hosting the 2027 World Cup.

But Horan thinks the appointment of a current Australian Super Rugby coach could erode the progress that currently sees all four teams sitting inside the top six midway through the season.

“If you left the four Super Rugby coaches where they are now and find a (different) Wallabies coach, that’s the best outcome,” he said.

“Whoever gets the job will deserve it, but we’re just starting to get a good rhythm and style of play. It’d be a shame if that didn’t continue,” he said.

“In 2014, we needed to rush and find a Wallabies coach and there’s no rush this time, unless you’re taking a Super coach that needs replacing.”

Former Ireland playmaker Ronan O’Gara, now coaching La Rochelle, and former England boss Stuart Lancaster are both in the mix to replace Schmidt.

Australia, knocked out in the group stage for the first time at the 2023 World Cup, have shown steady improvement ahead of the British and Irish Lions’ visit later this year.