Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is at peace with his call to hand over the Wallabies’ duties to Les Kiss ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Schmidt will depart his post after the July Tests against Ireland, France and Italy in the Autumn Nations Series, handing over to the Reds boss.
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The two have remained in conversation throughout, with Kiss joining the Wallabies during their end-of-year tour.
With the hallmark event less than two years away, Schmidt is comfortable with his decision as he turns his focus to his family and his son with severe epilepsy.
“Not at this stage,” Schmidt said when asked by reporters whether he’d be involved in 2027. "At the end of July is when I finish and I've just hugely enjoyed the group.
"They work really hard for what they get, and it will be tough to walk away and leave them in what I believe are good hands.
“Some of the other priorities I've got...I've had two weeks at home in the last five months so I think getting home a bit more often will be the preference at this stage.
“...I've had the privilege of coaching in three World Cups and loved and hated them in different measures depending on how things work out. I've been good friends going back a fair way with Les and so we'd always be chatting anyway."
Schmidt will look to integrate Kiss during the July Tests before the former Irish assistant takes over for the Japan series.
“We’d both like to think the Reds are going to go through to a [Super Rugby Pacific] final against the Brumbies or the Waratahs, but if that's not what happens, then Les gets a bit of breathing space, separates himself a bit from his past job. By the time we get to Brisbane, we play a big test there against France and I think that would be the perfect opportunity for Les since he’s based there,” he said.
“Les came in [during] the England and Ireland week on the November tour anyway, so it's not like he's miles away from what we're currently doing. I think that a good chunk of the staff will stay the same anyway, so it won't be a complete transition.”
Schmidt is in a unique situation with the Wallabies drawn alongside the All Blacks, the team he served as assistant coach for at the previous World Cup in France.
While the Kiwi-born Schmidt said he’s planning to be in the stands rather than helping either side, the Wallabies boss was looking forward to laying the groundwork for the Australians to hopefully top Pool A.
“I'm not looking to be involved at all, either side. I may well be in the stadium watching. I'd say that I'll just be delighted to be there and spectating because Rugby World Cups are really special occasions,” he added.
“...I’m excited about the pathway that we can plot in between now and the next time we play New Zealand, but then also beyond that.
"I know that Les [Kiss] is pretty excited about where the team can get to ...we didn’t have a good November, and it’s impossible to hide that we didn’t have a good November. There were glimpses, though, and we can still build on those glimpses after a bit of an emotional rollercoaster of a year.
"Les is pretty excited to get started [and] had a couple of good conversations with him today."
