April 30, 2025 • 10 mins
Confidence from Les Kiss that he can pick up where current Wallabies rugby coach Joe Schmidt leaves off.
The Queensland Reds coach will claim the Australian job mid next year.
Schmidt will continue beyond his planned exit later this year - adding the Wallabies end of year tour and the start of the new Nations Championship in July 2026.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Today it was announced who the Wallabies coach is going
to be. His name's Lea's Kiss and we're joined now
by the CEO of Robby Australia, Phil war to discuss
Good evening, Phil, good evening, great day for Australian rugby.
You've got your man and i'd suggest that is a
very very good appointment. Was it a difficult appointment to
(00:35):
make as far as the other candidates.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Yeah, well, I'd say that we've got our men rather
than just got our man, because I think the extension
of Joe is is very fortunate for us to continue
the growth that he's put into the environment over the
last twelve months for another twelve months. So that's pleasing
to extend Joe and then yea, the work that less
done internationally and a lot of that with Joe, and
(01:00):
then the work he's doing with the Reds Now and
for him to close out another season with the Reds
and then have a was transitioned across to the Wallaby's
head coach with a lot of the same philosophies and
behaviors and vision is what Joe has, So, you know,
we think it's a really elegant solution. You know, as
Joe continues his growth the next felve months, and then
(01:22):
Les takes over and continues the progression throughout that Wallaby's environment.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I don't think I've ever heard a Rugby appointment being
described as elegant. This is new ground in breaking, Phil
war I love it. Tell us about Joe, how on
earth did you manage to convince him because he wanted out,
then you managed to persuade him to do it another
few months and now another year or so. This is
some heavy negotiation or did he kind of roll for you?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Well, I think he's just falling in love with all
of us Australians actually, to be honest with you, but
I think Jay has been great since he's arrived and
certainly fitted into not just the Wallaby's environment, but I
think that the environment we're building here at the organization.
And he's had a long track record with Les as well,
(02:10):
so I think that he's got a huge amount of
comfort to I guess stay on the helm until until
Les comes across at the end of July next year.
So yeah, we're really pleased to continue with Joe at
leading the program and then you know, for him then
to pass it over to Les, who he's done a
lot of work with historically, you know, all around the world,
(02:30):
but in particular at the Irish Rugby Football Union, you know,
where they led the Irish team for a number of years.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
If you're a cynical, you'd say the reason he's sticking
around for another years because Rugby Australia don't want to
pay the Reds contract out so he can get kiss
Ridia right now. Is there any truth in that?
Speaker 4 (02:48):
Well, I think I think we get the best of
both worlds.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
To be honest with you, I think that the continuation
of Joe, you know, for for another fourteen tests, beyond
his commitment, you know, is a big, big win for us.
And you know, I think also for Les to continue
his influence he's having on the Reds and obviously the
Queensland market's a really important market for Australia and rugby,
(03:11):
so for Les to stay in that system for an
additional season is very beneficial to the overall ecosystem.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
And so, you know, I do think we generally, you
are genuinely getting the best of both worlds here where
we get Joe for longer and less embeds what he's doing,
and then transitions across.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Though not too difficult to get Joe to stick around
and do you have to cross his palm with plenty
of gold or.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I think I think Joe's enjoying himself. I think he
knows he's got a huge challenge on his hands. He
knows that we've got a lot of work to do
and there's still a lot of progress that needs to
be made.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
But you know, he's enjoying that challenge, he's enjoying the team.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
He's working with and and he's hopeful that he can
have a material impact over the next period of time.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Phil you mentioned the experience that Liz Kess has had
globally in the game for South Africa, spent a lot
of time on island. How valuable? How important is that
that the next coach has that background?
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Oh, I think it's critical.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I think you know, when you're taking taking over as
head coach, understanding the international games really important.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
I think we're playing really attractive, up tempo rugby and
super rugby.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
In our environment right now, but we know when you
go to the test levels it can be different. It
can be more of a grind. It can be played
in different ways, and so having that global experience their
new international experience, you know, where there's a lot more
on the line at test match rugby. And so having
that background and having it you for five or six years,
(04:42):
you know under Joe, and so you know there'll be
a lot of similarities in the way that they.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Coach and the and the cultures that they've built.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
And I think having that consistency and continuity is really
important for us.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Was here a clear and obvious choice, there were other
candidates floating around. How close were the others to securing
the role.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Yeah, Look, I think the most important for us is
a stability. I think that we often talk about head coaches,
and with the head coach comes a whole lot of
change across the broader management team. And we're really focused
on having that level of stabilization and continuity within the
management team.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
And so we expect, our expectation is that.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
The management team and the broader sort of coaching environment
will largely stay the same and Joe seamlessly transition into
lead it all. And that's really important for us to
give that continuity to the players, but also just to
the broader professional environment, flat.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
To complete to a degree or did you seriously consider
some of the other candidates.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Oh, I know, we seriously considered other candidates. I think,
you know, ran a thorough process.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
You know, we looked at head coaches.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Of World Cup programs right back from twenty eleven, twenty fifteen,
twenty nineteen, twenty twenty three. You know, with Peter Horn
leading the process. Having his experience across the world rugby
was very helpful. So we did a very thorough, you know,
thorough process to get to the outcome.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
We got to how important is it that he's an Australian.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Fielm Oh, Look, it's a you know, I think it's
a good outcome.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
I think that it wasn't It wasn't the deciding factor.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
We've selected the best coach and nationality didn't come into it.
I think it's it's obviously a great outcome to have
an Australian leading an Australian team to an Australian Rugby
World Cup, But it wasn't a you know, it wasn't
the deciding factor. I think, let's is the best coach
for the team and the environment going.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Forward and the future of the twelve months that he
takes over the role. You touched on it before, but
I'm presuming he's going to be very engaged with what
Joe Schmid is up to and juggling both the Reds
role and the role as a Wallaby. I supposed to
be an assistant coach until it takes that head coach role.
It's quite a balancing act.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Yeah, well not really, because we know he's probably got
a decade of experience with Joe in other environments and
Les will continue to leave the Reds environment. But like
the other three super rugby coaches, they're very aligned with
what we try to do across the professional system, so
you know we're gain the same level of involvement from
Stephen Larkin at the Brumbies or Danni Killer at the
(07:27):
Wartars or Simon cron out of the force. Les will
be in and around the environment just as much as
the other three coaches. So his role with the Reds
will stay as is and he's involved with the Wallabies
will be as it has been over the last twelve months,
and then when the time comes for him to take over,
then he'll be in a good position to do it.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Exceptional year for Australian rugby in the last twelve months.
Do you feel the CEO stars pretty easy? Isn't it
the way that guys are running in Super rugby? The
appointment of the coach, what Joe Schmidt has done, the
game is on up and this again accelerates that interesting
ahead of that World Cup's great news all round.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
She got plenty of plenty of do We've we've made
good progress over the last twelve months, but we're very
conscious that we've got lots of lots of ground to make.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Up and lots to do.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
But you put the right people in the right roles,
with the right values, then then hopefully you get the
right outcomes.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
I'll take it all back if you take the blader
slow cup back. Okay, so just calm, you're far.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Well, We're long, we're long over due and we know that,
so we'll keep we'll.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Keep having a crack.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Congratulations Phil Waar, CEO of Rugby Australia, Thanks so much
for your time. Hugely appreciated.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
As always, pleasure Thanks having me.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Phil war Their, CEO of Rugby Australia. Very approachable, always
keen to have a chat. It's been it's been a
good six months to a year for them after that records.
That was Eddie Jones, who I thought was the most
fun interview, but it was a mess when it came
to being a rugby coast. But things have changed around,
of course, Joe Schmid's turned up and he's had a
hell a hell out of time and here's him now
(09:07):
talking about his lengthened deal, not.
Speaker 5 (09:11):
When it was not when it was les and it
was going to be able to be dovetailed the way
it was. It's funny, it seemed like a long time,
but then by the time I'd already agreed to do TRC,
it didn't seem that much further into the future. So
I suppose as you stack them up, it didn't seem
like an extra year. It seemed like an extra sort
(09:32):
of six months or eight months. And you know, I
think the friendship that goes back a long way made
that a lot easier. And you know, the family situation
that the support from ra around just maybe getting the
family over a little bit more often to Sydney where
I'm usually based, that made it a little bit easier
(09:52):
as well, just so that I feel that I'm getting
some balance and supporting you know, probably my wife in
her commitment to looking after our son and our son
getting a bit of growth at the same time.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Today it was announced who the Wallabies coach is going
to be. His name's Lea's Kiss and we're joined now
by the CEO of Robby Australia, Phil war to discuss
Good evening, Phil, good evening, great day for Australian rugby.
You've got your man and i'd suggest that is a
very very good appointment. Was it a difficult appointment to
(00:35):
make as far as the other candidates.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Yeah, well, I'd say that we've got our men rather
than just got our man, because I think the extension
of Joe is is very fortunate for us to continue
the growth that he's put into the environment over the
last twelve months for another twelve months. So that's pleasing
to extend Joe and then yea, the work that less
done internationally and a lot of that with Joe, and
(01:00):
then the work he's doing with the Reds Now and
for him to close out another season with the Reds
and then have a was transitioned across to the Wallaby's
head coach with a lot of the same philosophies and
behaviors and vision is what Joe has, So, you know,
we think it's a really elegant solution. You know, as
Joe continues his growth the next felve months, and then
(01:22):
Les takes over and continues the progression throughout that Wallaby's environment.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I don't think I've ever heard a Rugby appointment being
described as elegant. This is new ground in breaking, Phil
war I love it. Tell us about Joe, how on
earth did you manage to convince him because he wanted out,
then you managed to persuade him to do it another
few months and now another year or so. This is
some heavy negotiation or did he kind of roll for you?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Well, I think he's just falling in love with all
of us Australians actually, to be honest with you, but
I think Jay has been great since he's arrived and
certainly fitted into not just the Wallaby's environment, but I
think that the environment we're building here at the organization.
And he's had a long track record with Les as well,
(02:10):
so I think that he's got a huge amount of
comfort to I guess stay on the helm until until
Les comes across at the end of July next year.
So yeah, we're really pleased to continue with Joe at
leading the program and then you know, for him then
to pass it over to Les, who he's done a
lot of work with historically, you know, all around the world,
(02:30):
but in particular at the Irish Rugby Football Union, you know,
where they led the Irish team for a number of years.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
If you're a cynical, you'd say the reason he's sticking
around for another years because Rugby Australia don't want to
pay the Reds contract out so he can get kiss
Ridia right now. Is there any truth in that?
Speaker 4 (02:48):
Well, I think I think we get the best of
both worlds.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
To be honest with you, I think that the continuation
of Joe, you know, for for another fourteen tests, beyond
his commitment, you know, is a big, big win for us.
And you know, I think also for Les to continue
his influence he's having on the Reds and obviously the
Queensland market's a really important market for Australia and rugby,
(03:11):
so for Les to stay in that system for an
additional season is very beneficial to the overall ecosystem.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
And so, you know, I do think we generally, you
are genuinely getting the best of both worlds here where
we get Joe for longer and less embeds what he's doing,
and then transitions across.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Though not too difficult to get Joe to stick around
and do you have to cross his palm with plenty
of gold or.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I think I think Joe's enjoying himself. I think he
knows he's got a huge challenge on his hands. He
knows that we've got a lot of work to do
and there's still a lot of progress that needs to
be made.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
But you know, he's enjoying that challenge, he's enjoying the team.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
He's working with and and he's hopeful that he can
have a material impact over the next period of time.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Phil you mentioned the experience that Liz Kess has had
globally in the game for South Africa, spent a lot
of time on island. How valuable? How important is that
that the next coach has that background?
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Oh, I think it's critical.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I think you know, when you're taking taking over as
head coach, understanding the international games really important.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
I think we're playing really attractive, up tempo rugby and
super rugby.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
In our environment right now, but we know when you
go to the test levels it can be different. It
can be more of a grind. It can be played
in different ways, and so having that global experience their
new international experience, you know, where there's a lot more
on the line at test match rugby. And so having
that background and having it you for five or six years,
(04:42):
you know under Joe, and so you know there'll be
a lot of similarities in the way that they.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Coach and the and the cultures that they've built.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
And I think having that consistency and continuity is really
important for us.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Was here a clear and obvious choice, there were other
candidates floating around. How close were the others to securing
the role.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Yeah, Look, I think the most important for us is
a stability. I think that we often talk about head coaches,
and with the head coach comes a whole lot of
change across the broader management team. And we're really focused
on having that level of stabilization and continuity within the
management team.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
And so we expect, our expectation is that.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
The management team and the broader sort of coaching environment
will largely stay the same and Joe seamlessly transition into
lead it all. And that's really important for us to
give that continuity to the players, but also just to
the broader professional environment, flat.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
To complete to a degree or did you seriously consider
some of the other candidates.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Oh, I know, we seriously considered other candidates. I think,
you know, ran a thorough process.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
You know, we looked at head coaches.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Of World Cup programs right back from twenty eleven, twenty fifteen,
twenty nineteen, twenty twenty three. You know, with Peter Horn
leading the process. Having his experience across the world rugby
was very helpful. So we did a very thorough, you know,
thorough process to get to the outcome.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
We got to how important is it that he's an Australian.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Fielm Oh, Look, it's a you know, I think it's
a good outcome.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
I think that it wasn't It wasn't the deciding factor.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
We've selected the best coach and nationality didn't come into it.
I think it's it's obviously a great outcome to have
an Australian leading an Australian team to an Australian Rugby
World Cup, But it wasn't a you know, it wasn't
the deciding factor. I think, let's is the best coach
for the team and the environment going.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Forward and the future of the twelve months that he
takes over the role. You touched on it before, but
I'm presuming he's going to be very engaged with what
Joe Schmid is up to and juggling both the Reds
role and the role as a Wallaby. I supposed to
be an assistant coach until it takes that head coach role.
It's quite a balancing act.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Yeah, well not really, because we know he's probably got
a decade of experience with Joe in other environments and
Les will continue to leave the Reds environment. But like
the other three super rugby coaches, they're very aligned with
what we try to do across the professional system, so
you know we're gain the same level of involvement from
Stephen Larkin at the Brumbies or Danni Killer at the
(07:27):
Wartars or Simon cron out of the force. Les will
be in and around the environment just as much as
the other three coaches. So his role with the Reds
will stay as is and he's involved with the Wallabies
will be as it has been over the last twelve months,
and then when the time comes for him to take over,
then he'll be in a good position to do it.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Exceptional year for Australian rugby in the last twelve months.
Do you feel the CEO stars pretty easy? Isn't it
the way that guys are running in Super rugby? The
appointment of the coach, what Joe Schmidt has done, the
game is on up and this again accelerates that interesting
ahead of that World Cup's great news all round.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
She got plenty of plenty of do We've we've made
good progress over the last twelve months, but we're very
conscious that we've got lots of lots of ground to make.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Up and lots to do.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
But you put the right people in the right roles,
with the right values, then then hopefully you get the
right outcomes.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
I'll take it all back if you take the blader
slow cup back. Okay, so just calm, you're far.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Well, We're long, we're long over due and we know that,
so we'll keep we'll.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Keep having a crack.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Congratulations Phil Waar, CEO of Rugby Australia, Thanks so much
for your time. Hugely appreciated.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
As always, pleasure Thanks having me.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Phil war Their, CEO of Rugby Australia. Very approachable, always
keen to have a chat. It's been it's been a
good six months to a year for them after that records.
That was Eddie Jones, who I thought was the most
fun interview, but it was a mess when it came
to being a rugby coast. But things have changed around,
of course, Joe Schmid's turned up and he's had a
hell a hell out of time and here's him now
(09:07):
talking about his lengthened deal, not.
Speaker 5 (09:11):
When it was not when it was les and it
was going to be able to be dovetailed the way
it was. It's funny, it seemed like a long time,
but then by the time I'd already agreed to do TRC,
it didn't seem that much further into the future. So
I suppose as you stack them up, it didn't seem
like an extra year. It seemed like an extra sort
(09:32):
of six months or eight months. And you know, I
think the friendship that goes back a long way made
that a lot easier. And you know, the family situation
that the support from ra around just maybe getting the
family over a little bit more often to Sydney where
I'm usually based, that made it a little bit easier
(09:52):
as well, just so that I feel that I'm getting
some balance and supporting you know, probably my wife in
her commitment to looking after our son and our son
getting a bit of growth at the same time.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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