Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss will have an “influence” on who national boss Joe Schmidt selects for his final three Tests in charge of Australia.
Schmidt will oversee the Wallabies’ Nations Championship games in July against Ireland (Sydney), France (Brisbane) and Italy (Perth) before Kiss takes over ahead of Australia’s two-match series against Japan in August.
However, Schmidt has confirmed that Kiss and his assistant coaches Scott McLeod and Jon Fisher will be integrated into the Wallabies ranks before Australia’s clash with the French at Suncorp Stadium on July 11.
“Les will be in observing, as well Scott McLeod (and) Jon Fisher when we get to Brisbane,” Schmidt said.
“Then they’ll head across to Perth … and then they’ve got three weeks before the (first) Japan Test (on August 8), and those Tests are probably a good opportunity, if they’re going to start to recalibrate things a bit … and build their way forward from that.
“That’s the best transition period that you could hope for in terms of enough time but (with) the players still ticking over.
“A double up against the same opposition, it’s always easier to do your planning for that rather than having to bounce between different opposition who challenge you in different ways.”
Schmidt said he would also “run things past” current Queensland coach Kiss when it came to the selection of Wallabies squads for July’s games.
“There’s a little bit of influence that he can have in those first three Tests for selection, right from the start,” Schmidt said.
“The way we play, we have to hit the ground running. We’re playing two of the top teams in the world first-up in Ireland and France.
“It’s not like we can afford to change a huge amount in terms of the language we use or the performance behaviours we have an expectation are going to get delivered.”
Schmidt said Reds flyhalf Tom Lynagh, who has made just one Super Rugby Pacific appearance – off the bench – for Queensland this season due to injuries, would need some game time to be considered for Wallabies selection in July.
“One of the conundrums is for Tom to get himself fit and then to get some momentum in a competitive environment, which is what you want, but it may be difficult for him to get that window of opportunity,” he said.
“It’s more a case of how’s he going at that particular time. To put any timeframe on it is currently unrealistic because we’re already getting tight (with time).”
Schmidt didn’t rule out naming recent code-switcher, former NSW State of Origin winger Zac Lomax, in his upcoming squad.
“I would never say it’s too early. We all need to see a little bit more of Zac, but having met Zac, he is massively driven,” Schmidt said of the Western Force recruit.
“Physically, there are some attributes he has that are really positive (as well) as his climbing and strength in his aerial game … (but) there is still some work to do on his defensive positioning.
“It’s very different playing on the edge in 15s (rugby union) as opposed to 13s (rugby league).
“There are some other good wingers who have played well as well … so there’s a bit of competition which is great.”
They include outside back Jordan Petaia, who plays for French club Perpignan.
“He plays big at the moment, Jordy. He’s running with a bit more authority. He’s playing well over there,” Schmidt said.
