The race to find the next Wallabies coach is coming closer to its end as players past and present throw their support behind one leading contender to take on the job.
Les Kiss is the favourite to be named as head coach of the Wallabies, with the Reds coach backed to handle both national team and club level commitments simultaneously.
The idea of a dual-coaching commitment for short term period has been backed by several greats of the game including fellow Super Rugby Pacific coach Dan McKellar.
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Reds coach Les Kiss at FMG Stadium Waikato. Getty
McKellar was rumoured to be in contention for the head coaching role but confirmed on Thursday that he would not be leaving his duties with the Waratahs anytime soon.
“No. No, I’m not in the mix for the Wallabies gig,” he said.
“I came back here to help rugby out in this country by helping NSW and the Waratahs.
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Coach of the Waratahs Dan McKellar shares a moment with Max Jorgensen. Getty
“I’m really enjoying it here, loving the challenge, loving the players, loving the staff. We’ve got a tremendous facility … I’m enjoying life in Sydney and that’s my job.
“I’ve signed here for three years and it’s going to take time, but I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
If Kiss were to be offered the Wallabies gig, he would not be the first coach of the national team to coach two teams simultaneously.
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Michael Cheika’s reign over the Wallabies in 2014 began with a short stint of him continuing his duties with the Waratahs, which lasted through the entire 2015 season.
Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh, who was in Brisbane this week with Reds officials, previously stated the governing body was open to the idea of a “job share” situation.
Kiss is still under contract with the Reds until the end of 2026 and it is believed that conversations are underway about the potential fallout that could occur at the club if he is to take on the national team role.
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss. Getty
According to sources who spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald on the condition of anonymity, Kiss is keen to bring some of his Reds staffers with him if appointed.
If he is to bring his staffers with him, it is likely Rugby Australia will have to provide the Reds with financial compensation if a job share arrangement is not agreed on.
“It’s a big ask,” McKellar said of a possible job share situation for Kiss.
“I did it as a head coach at the Brumbies and then I was assistant (Wallabies) coach and, yeah, you certainly enjoy that four or five-week break at the end of the year. That’s for sure.
“If it’s not a long-term thing, I think it’s doable (but) you wouldn’t want to be doing it year after year after year.
“But is it a short-term possibility? Yeah, I think it can be done.
“It’s certainly a long season and I found that out for myself… There’s plenty to juggle there, and it’s a massive workload but it’s doable being head coach of both.
“It takes up another gear again. I wouldn’t say it’s not possible but it’ll certainly provide its challenges.”
Ex-Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps also backed his former London Irish mentor Kiss to take on two coaching roles, noting his work ethic in the rugby sphere is similar to that of Cheika.
“He would definitely be able to do it,” Phipps said.
“You wouldn’t notice it up front, but behind closed doors he would be a busy man.
“But Kissy is a workaholic. He loves it. He doesn’t just do what he has to do, he genuinely loves it. He is always walking around with a little iPad everywhere and he sees you and grabs you and you’re there for 40 minutes talking footy.”
