Les Kiss named as coach of AUNZ Invitational XV taking on British and Irish Lions

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Les Kiss named as coach of AUNZ Invitational XV taking on British and Irish Lions

Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss will take charge of the Australia-New Zealand invitational outfit that will tackle the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide in July.

Kiss, the Queensland Reds coach who will step up to the Wallabies job in July next year to replace Joe Schmidt, will be assisted by former All ******* mentor Ian Foster in guiding the fortunes of the AUNZ Invitational XV at Adelaide Oval on July 12.

“I’m looking forward to working with a coach like Ian who has wide-ranging experience at the highest level of the game and linking up with the wider management in due course,” Kiss said.

“The British and Irish Lions are one of world sport’s most renowned teams and to be able to play them at an iconic *********** venue such as the Adelaide Oval will be an incredible spectacle.”

Queensland Rugby Union general manager of high performance Sam Cordingley praised the decision to give Kiss the AUNZ coaching duties.

“Les is an outstanding appointment which makes a lot of sense as a natural progression,” Cordingley said. “I’m sure a top team is being assembled to have a real crack at the Lions a week out from the first Test (against the Wallabies).”

Meanwhile, former Reds and Wallabies star Toutai Kefu will coach the First Nations and Pasifika XV side that will play the Lions at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on July 22.

“I feel honoured to be named head coach of the first ever First Nations and Pasifika XV,” said ex-Tonga coach Kefu.

“First Nations and Pasifika people contribute massively to the game all around the world, and the significance of this game in celebrating those ongoing contributions can’t be overstated, especially against a team with the history of the British and Irish Lions.

“I’m looking forward to getting together as a group in July and representing our people with a strong performance.”

Camera IconToutai Kefu will coach a First Nations and Pasifika XV team playing against the British and Irish Lions. Marc Robertson Credit: News Corp Australia

Elsewhere, the Reds have re-signed back-rower Joe Brial for 2026.

The 23-year-old son of former Wallabies forward Michael Brial debuted for the Reds in April last year and has featured in 11 of Queensland’s 12 Super Rugby Pacific games this season.

“We have a quality playing group and I have great mates here as well,” Brial said.

“The coaching staff is world class and has also built a really good team culture.

“You get good and honest feedback (from the coaches) which makes getting better enjoyable.”

Reds coach Kiss said the growth in Brial’s game had been “massive”.

“To have his qualities in our back-row depth, game on game, is brilliant,” Kiss said.

The Reds, 24-14 weekend losers to the ACT Brumbies, hope to return to winning ways on Friday night when they host the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium.

“We want to make the most of playing at home with the crowd behind us and earn the best possible position in the (Super Rugby Pacific) finals,” Brial said.

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