Les Kiss Era Wallabies So Far
When Les Kiss took charge of the Wallabies in mid-2026, he inherited a team with growing talent, a home Rugby World Cup on the horizon, and plenty of questions about consistency. A few months into his tenure, the picture is mixed: memorable wins, including a dramatic victory over world champions South Africa, but also two heavy Bledisloe Cup defeats to New Zealand.
This article reviews the Les Kiss era so far, covering his background, his results, the standout moments, the problems that remain, and what the November tour means for his first season.
Who Is Les Kiss?
Born in Bundaberg, Queensland, in 1964, Kiss has one of the most unusual backgrounds of any Wallabies coach. He began as a rugby league winger, playing for the North Sydney Bears and representing both Queensland and Australia.
His rugby union coaching career has taken him around the world:
- Defence coach with South Africa in the early 2000s
- Assistant coach with the Waratahs and Australian age-group and A teams
- Defence coach with Ireland from 2009 to 2015, a period that included a Grand Slam and multiple Six Nations titles
- Director of Rugby at Ulster and head coach at London Irish
- Head coach of the Queensland Reds
The Handover From Joe Schmidt
Rugby Australia announced in April 2025 that Kiss would succeed Joe Schmidt. Schmidt extended his tenure until mid-2026, coaching the Wallabies through the July Nations Championship Tests, while Kiss completed his final season with the Reds.
Kiss is contracted through to the end of 2028, covering the home 2027 Rugby World Cup. He described leading the Wallabies at that tournament as “the honour of a lifetime.”
Results Under Les Kiss
Kiss’s first Test came in August 2026. Here are his main results so far:
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 August | Japan | Higashiosaka | Won 35 to 32 |
| 15 August | Japan | Townsville | Won 56 to 17 |
| 29 August | Argentina | Jujuy | Won 27 to 21 |
| 5 September | Argentina | Mendoza | Drew 28 to 28 |
| Late September | South Africa | Perth | Won 42 to 38 |
| 10 October | New Zealand | Eden Park, Auckland | Lost 19 to 50 |
| 17 October | New Zealand | Accor Stadium, Sydney | Lost 21 to 43 |
That adds up to four wins, one draw, and two losses in these major Tests. Kiss went unbeaten through his first five matches before the Bledisloe Cup brought a hard reality check.
How It Compares to July
Before Kiss arrived, the Wallabies played three Nations Championship Tests under Schmidt in July. They lost narrowly to Ireland, 31 to 33, were beaten 42 to 26 by France, and thrashed Italy 57 to 10. Those results left Australia third in the Southern conference.
Kiss’s early results built on that base, especially the win over South Africa. However, because the July Tests were part of the Nations Championship, his November performances will decide whether Australia can improve on that third-place position before Finals Weekend.
The Highs
A Winning Start in Japan
Kiss’s first match was far from easy. In Osaka, the Wallabies beat Japan 35 to 32 despite lock Miles Amatosero being shown a 20-minute red card. The performance was untidy, but Australia scored five first-half tries and found a way to win. A week later, they dominated the return Test in Townsville, 56 to 17.
Reclaiming the Puma Trophy
In Argentina, the Wallabies won 27 to 21 in Jujuy and then drew 28 to 28 in Mendoza, enough to win the series and reclaim the Puma Trophy. Winning in Argentina is never simple, and it was a valuable result for a new coaching group.
The Perth Thriller
The defining moment of Kiss’s tenure so far came in Perth, where Australia beat South Africa 42 to 38. The match was chaotic. Four Wallabies, Ryan Lonergan, Harry Wilson, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, and Hunter Paisami, were sin-binned, leaving Australia with just 11 players at one stage. The Springboks scored three tries during that spell, but the Wallabies held on.
Len Ikitau scored two tries before leaving with an ankle injury, while Lonergan’s kicking and game management drew strong praise. It was a win built on resilience as much as skill.
The Lows
Bledisloe Cup Pain
The Bledisloe Cup exposed the gap that remains between Australia and New Zealand. The Wallabies lost 50 to 19 at Eden Park and 43 to 21 in Sydney, handing the All Blacks a 13th straight Bledisloe win, as reported after the second Test.
Kiss did not hide his frustration after the Sydney defeat, saying the first-half performance was “just not acceptable.” Captain Harry Wilson admitted Australia had a “terrible second half” in the first Test and a “terrible first half” in the second.
Discipline
Cards have been a recurring problem. A red card in Kiss’s first match, four yellow cards against South Africa, and a suspension for Hunter Paisami after a high tackle in the South Africa match show that discipline remains a major area for improvement.
Key Players in the Kiss Era
- Harry Wilson: captain and one of the team’s most consistent performers, praised as “world-class” after Perth
- Ryan Lonergan: influential scrumhalf, with strong kicking and game control
- Fraser McReight: top try scorer in the Argentina series
- Len Ikitau: key midfielder, scoring twice against South Africa
- Josh Canham: strong lineout work early in Kiss’s tenure
- Taniela Tupou and Max Jorgensen: both on the scoresheet in Kiss’s first Test
What Kiss Has Changed
While it is early, a few trends have emerged:
- Attacking intent: the Wallabies have scored freely, including 56 points against Japan and 42 against South Africa
- Resilience: close wins and a gritty draw show a team that keeps fighting
- Squad continuity: the November squad is largely unchanged from the group used earlier in his tenure
- Depth building: Kiss has said selectors are making tough calls to build depth before the World Cup
The November Challenge
The Spring Tour is the next big examination. Australia face England, Scotland, and Wales in the Nations Championship, followed by a Finals Weekend match at Twickenham. Kiss called it “another valuable opportunity to test new combinations,” with uncapped players Tom Lambert and Teddy Wilson in the squad and overseas-based Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper available.
Results on this tour will shape how fans judge his first season. Strong performances in Europe would ease the disappointment of the Bledisloe Cup, while further heavy defeats would raise bigger questions.
The Road to 2027
Everything in Kiss’s tenure points toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. His challenge is to turn an exciting but inconsistent team into one that can compete with the world’s best over a full tournament. Improving discipline, closing the gap to New Zealand, and settling key combinations will be the priorities.
Final Thoughts
The Les Kiss era Wallabies so far have delivered genuine highs, including a series win in Argentina and an unforgettable victory over South Africa, alongside painful Bledisloe Cup losses. With the November tour underway and a home World Cup less than a year away, the next few months will reveal how far this team can go under its new coach.
Jante Smith is a creative and dedicated content writer who loves turning ideas into clear and engaging stories. She writes blog posts and articles that connect with readers. She ensures every piece of content is well-structured and easy to understand. Her writing helps our brand share useful information and build strong relationships with our audience.