Wallabies planning to 'tweak' the Schmidt operating model

Les Kiss has told players there will be tweaks to the Wallabies machine built by Joe Schmidt after addressing the squad for the first time as coach ahead of next year’s home Rugby World Cup.

The Wallabies began preparations in Sydney on Tuesday for their August 8 Test against Eddie Jones’ Japan in Osaka.

Australia will host the Brave Blossoms a week later in Townsville.

A former rugby league winger with nearly 30 years of rugby coaching experience, Kiss spent three years alongside Schmidt with Ireland more than a decade ago.

But, after three seasons with the Queensland Reds, Kiss has made clear he’s his own man and wants to elevate the world No.8 side into a Cup contender on home soil next year.

“There’s been a strong foundation built under Joe and that there’s some really good parts of that we want to continue, but there are little shifts he wants to add,” veteran prop Allan Alaalatoa said on Tuesday.

“That was one of the first things he said, that he’s aware of the foundation we’ve built but he wants to add his own flavour to the group and changes he thinks will benefit us to be more consistent and get more wins on the board.”

That will likely come on both sides of the ball, with Alaalatoa flagging subtle defensive tweaks around the ruck and Kiss hinting last week there would be changes in attack, too.

“My points of difference will be how I approach the game in attack,” Kiss said.

“I like a lot more width in the game and I’m probably a more collaborative type of coach. I make sure every coach has a part to play.”

Kiss has recalled powerhouse lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto while prop Isaac Kailea is back in the fray as the coach explores his front-row depth.

The Wallabies surrendered big leads in losses to Ireland and France before trouncing Italy in Schmidt’s last game in charge to begin the Nations Championship.

That snapped a six-Test losing streak and was just the Wallabies’ second win in their last 11 games.

They still have 11 Tests to play this year and, on top of next year’s Rugby Championship, will play an Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test and host Ireland in Canberra nine days before their World Cup opener.

“With the amount of Test matches we have, there’s plenty of quality matches together that will put us in good stead to achieve our goal,” Alaalatoa said when asked if they had enough time to peak under Kiss.

Japan also beat Italy and pushed Ireland in a 36-20 loss in Newcastle, before France ran away 42-15 after leading 28-15 at halftime in Tokyo.

Jones has pushed a high-tempo playing style with Japan since returning to the role after his ugly Wallabies exit followed their historic, early 2023 World Cup exit.

“He’s got their team humming,” Alaalatoa said.

“They’re very skilful, play very fast and it’s going to be bloody hot over there as well. We’ll be in for a big one.”