The reports are emerging this week that current Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt may be more likely to terminate his current contract than extend it beyond 2025, with RA speaking to potential replacements behind the scenes should Schmidt leave after the Lions series.

If true, it’s a blow to Australian fans who have seen their team completely transformed since the dismal outfit taken out of France in 2023 on a stretcher. When Schmidt was hired, the ultimate goal was for Australia to be competitive against the Lions in 2025 and although there were some painful moments during the Rugby Championship, everything seemed to click on their Grand Slam tour.

The hard work done in the south showed itself in the northern hemisphere, with Australia recording two wins from four, beating England, demolishing Wales and narrowly ruling Ireland. If Joe Schmidt does indeed choose not to extend his tenure as head coach, he leaves without owing anything. He was the ideal man to come and steady the ship at a time when the future of football in Australia was in question.

Rugby Australia has previously indicated it is working on options if Schmidt chooses not to extend his contract. Les Kiss, current head coach of the Queensland Reds and former assistant to Joe Schmidt with Ireland, is considered an early favorite for the job. However, I think the Super Rugby franchises should be left alone.

I can’t remember a time when Australian Super Rugby teams were in a better situation.

New Tahs performance director Simon Raiwalui has appointed Dan McKellar to NSW’s top job, who will be joined by former Ireland attack coach Mike Catt. With a raft of new signings injecting depth and quality into an already strong squad, now is the time for McKellar to deliver on his promises and truly earn the high regard in which Rugby Australia holds him.

Dan McKellar. (Photo by Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images)

The Brumbies’ Stephen Larkham is as ACT as they come and is the perfect man to lead the Canberra-based side again this year. Now in his second year with the club, Ben Mowen has another chance to infuse his aggressive defense into his squad full of Australian internationals.

The Kiss was a breath of fresh air for this group of Queenslanders who were unable to win their Super Rugby AU title under Brad Thorn. Like Schmidt with the Wallabies, Brad Thorn was brought in to change the culture of the team which seemed completely wayward under Nick Stiles. While Thorn opted to fire problem veterans and inject youth into the team early on, Les Kiss now inherits a young team with plenty of experience. Although the Reds are known for their free-flowing attacking rugby under Kiss, some of his biggest impacts have arguably been linked to recruitment and his decision to focus on five quality tight ends. Alex Hodgman and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen were key players in the first year. With an influx of ex-Melbourne Rebels and the upcoming arrival of Aidan Ross, Kiss continues to support its talented players with quality hard-nosed players.

With another exciting list of off-season signings, now is the time for Simon Cron to put it all back together for the Force. The Western Force now combines players in the twilight of their careers with Australian talent who have their whole future ahead of them. Cron was specifically fact-checked by Phil Waugh when he discussed the current crop of coaches RA has in its Super Rugby stable if Joe Schmidt leaves. Cron’s work in 2023 has seen several Force players play key roles for the Wallabies, with Jeremy Williams a clear standout. It is now up to Cron to build on this initial success and improve the team’s performance, not only in terms of recognition, but also wins.

I urge Rugby Australia not to cannibalize its own foundations and look at options outside of Super Rugby for coaches to replace Joe Schmidt if he steps down. Yes, franchises offer different styles of games; however, Joe Schmidt will have instilled the same standards across the teams. It appears Schmidt has strong working relationships with all franchises and the power of cohesion at Super Rugby level should not be overlooked.

Each head coach is responsible for bringing in new talent and developing their current stocks. The work done by McKellar, Larkham, Cron and Kiss at the national level is felt at the international level and provides players with a path to the gold jersey.

The Kisses. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Schmidt has already endorsed their skills by selecting new players from every Super Rugby franchise. For once, Rugby Australia has pillars in place to support the Wallabies’ training, and the selection of the next Wallabies head coach at Super Rugby level could disrupt overall progress.

While it may be less costly to promote a current coach rather than hire them externally, cohesion is just as important for long-term success. There’s no doubt that signing Schmidt would have cost the union, but it’s worth every penny.

Roar Editor-in-Chief Christy Doran took the trip to Seattle with VisitSeattle.org, delving into the city’s electric sports vibe, outdoor adventures and renowned culinary scene. Click here to discover his latest adventure in the Emerald City.

Every Wallaby player will have come away from camp with a list of areas where they can improve their game and, for once, I have confidence in the current Super Rugby set-ups to help them make those improvements.

The next Wallaby coach, if Schmidt does not extend, will also benefit from this level of cohesion at Super Rugby level. Maintaining the style of play at this level will also give confidence to players who might see a change at international level.

Kiss is the early favorite for the job, but could he make a bigger impact by continuing with the Reds? I think so. There are options to consider outside of Australia and I believe Phil Waugh and Daniel Herbert will consider external options for the sake of continuity in their five year plan.