Wallabies coaching update: Les Kiss awaits Rugby Australia’s next move

With his interview process for the Wallabies coaching role advancing beyond the second stage, Queensland coach Les Kiss is waiting on Rugby Australia to take the next step.

The Reds returned to the Super Rugby Pacific winner’s circle with a thumping 35-15 win over the Waratahs, with the match billed as a clash between two Test coach aspirants, with Dan McKellar at the NSW helm.

Kiss is believed to be the front-runner to succeed current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt, who will step down at the end of the Rugby Championship in early October, with an announcement expected within the next month.

The Queensland mentor has a long coaching history with Schmidt, who is leaving for family reasons but is is keen to stay on in a consultancy role, which appeals to RA.

Ahead of Saturday’s match against the Highlanders, which will feature the timely return of key forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Kiss told AAP he was comfortable with how the appointment process was unfolding.

“I know RA are doing their due diligence and talking to the people that they need to,” the 60-year-old said.

“And that’s been good, the way it’s been handled, because I just concentrate on what I have to do here.

“I’ve had two discussions with them … it’s in the process.

“We just need to wait and see what they want to do.”

Kiss said for now he’s “dead-set focused” on the task of winning in Dunedin, where Queensland haven’t succeeded since 2013.

“We didn’t quite get what we wanted out of the Crusaders trip recently, and it’s a tough place to go and play so it’s a good challenge for us to go to Dunedin, under the roof,” he said.

“The win against NSW on the weekend certainly has bolstered the confidence as well.”

Injured star flanker Fraser McReight (shoulder) is set to be replaced by John Bryant but the biggest in for the Reds is Salakaia-Loto, for his first Super match of the season.

Recently re-signed with the Wallabies and Reds, the lock/back-rower hasn’t played since injuring his leg against Ulster on Queensland’s UK tour in early February.

Salakaia-Loto earned 69 caps with the Reds before shifting his career to the UK in 2022 and then the defunct Melbourne Rebels.

“He’s been a massive addition from day one, really,” Kiss said of the 28-year-old.

“Unfortunately, we lost him to that injury in the pre-season tour, but he’s just worked hard behind the scenes and I think the biggest quality is the type of leadership he brings.

“He’s an imposing figure anyway, but his leadership off the park, even when he’s been injured, has been impressive.

“The other part of that is we know what type of destruction he can cause in opposition, so we’re just looking forward to him coming off the bench which is great for us.”