Rugby Australia was patting itself on the back not long ago after extending Joe Schmidt’s contract through to mid-2026 and announcing Les Kiss as his successor.

The governing body liked the sound of continuity and believed Kiss, Schmidt’s former assistant, could continue the outgoing coach’s rebuilding job.

But if the drawn-out transition didn’t sound clunky enough a couple of years out from the biggest tournament in Australian rugby history, the governing body will have a tough task selling the coaching exchange should Michael Cheika’s Leicester Tigers win the English Premiership in his first and only season in charge. Kiss’ highest finish with London Irish was fifth.

It’s not just the former Wallabies boss making noise either.

In Canberra, Stephen Larkham has led the Brumbies to a third straight semifinal. It came after beating Kiss’ side twice in 2025.

Should Larkham guide the Brumbies into the final, it will leave many asking, did RA announce the right guy as Schmidt’s successor?

Kiss’ Reds, meanwhile, lost their fourth straight quarterfinal and second under his watch.

It’s not exactly the sales pitch they wanted.

Current Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt (L) and incoming Wallabies Head Coach Les Kiss (R) on April 30, 2025 in Sydney. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Kiss can, of course, coach and everywhere he’s gone players get better and the clubs play attractive rugby, but is it champion-winning rugby?

The Reds weren’t helped by picking up injuries regularly in 2025, but the premiership window they’ve got either side of the 2027 World Cup won’t last forever.

The Reds have got to grow up and find a ruthless edge if they want to be considered a top-tier side because they let too many sides off the hook in 2025, including the Brumbies. That starts with playing more pragmatically.

Most improved player deserves shot against the Lions

Tom Hooper doesn’t hit like Bobby Valetini, have the presence of Will Skelton or run like Nick Frost in the open, but the Bathurst-product is the most improved baller in Aussie rugby in 2025.

Last year he went missing and fell back to the pack.

Perhaps it’s because he was promoted too quickly under Eddie Jones, but the versatile forward has been phenomenal this season.

He’s not grown into his body and he’s got a physical presence on both sides of the ball.

Hooper’s physicality in the tackle area, durability at the breakdown and work-rate is one of the big reasons why the Brumbies held out the Hurricanes and progressed to the last four.

Exeter-bound forward Tom Hooper has been outstanding in 2025. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

While the 24-year-old will head to Exeter next season, a season in the Premiership should only help his physical development. Rugby Australia should already be working out how to get him back.

But for now they should have him in their squad to take on the Lions because Hooper has been at the heart of the Brumbies’ fine season.

No scrum, no win

Australian rugby players and fans got a timely reminder of the importance of the scrum over the weekend ahead of the Lions series.

Not only did the Reds shoot themselves in the foot with several errors in opposition territory, but their errors were compounded by being scrummed off the park.

It meant that the Reds simply couldn’t assert any real pressure on the Crusaders, who could clear their line and then quickly put the visitors on the defence.

Although the Lions will come Down Under with at least one of their preferred tight-head props, Schmidt will understand the importance of the Wallabies having at least parity at the scrum. If they don’t, it will be a long and disappointing campaign.

Mike Cron (L) has a huge task ahead to ensure the Wallabies’ scrum gains at least parity against the Lions. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Speaking of which, it’s a big weekend for Reds-bound Chiefs veteran Aidan Ross, who will return to Australia following the season and will be immediately eligible for the Wallabies.

Ross got pinged for angling in early against the Blues but recovered well. If he packs down well against Allan Alaalatoa, it won’t just be Kiss happy to have him at the Reds in time to take on the Lions but Schmidt too.

Now or never?

It’s an even bigger weekend for Ryan Lonergan.

The Brumbies halfback has a fine pass, has become a running threat, can kick off both his left and right feet, and is arguably the best leader in Aussie rugby. Lonergan’s clarity, calmness under pressure and decision-making has also been on display in 2025.

But if there’s one area in the game that he’s behind his rivals for the No.9 jersey, it’s in defence.

New Zealand sides, in particular, have successfully targeted Lonergan in defence, and it’s an avenue the Chiefs will likely try to exploit too.

If Lonergan can stand up, it will be a huge tick ahead of a Lions series where the Brumbies No.9 is still rated behind the top three.

Lonergan won’t want to miss the chance either because, while he’s likely to move ahead of Nic White in the coming months, the Waratahs’ Teddy Wilson is quickly making up ground. Timing is a funny thing.

Big Will’s time to shine

The Wallabies have never seen the best of Will Skelton, but that could be about to change.

Since the giant lock moved overseas first to Saracens and then to La Rochelle, winning everything in between, Skelton has floated in and out of the Wallabies set up. A match here, a cameo there.

The longest the Wallabies had him was a run of six Tests in 2023, before Skelton did his calf at training and missed the majority of the pool matches.

But against Georgia, the trimmed-down Skelton, who was in the best shape of his career, showed he was ready to take the tournament by storm and stand up to be counted on the international arena.

He appeared in another couple of end-of-year fixtures under Schmidt last November. Once again, he was rushed in with little to no build-up time before he lined up against Wales.

Will Skelton will be available sooner than expected for Joe Schmidt. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

However, that won’t be the case against the Lions now after his side sensationally missed the Top 14 playoffs on a dramatic final weekend.

Should, as expected, he play a prominent role against the Lions, with his size, experience and understanding of how to win crucial factors in building a team, it could force a rethink over how best to balance the pack throughout a taxing three-match Test series against the Lions.

After all, it’ll take an incredible physical presence – and a lack of depth in positions – for a forward to start in all three Tests against the Lions.

Christy Doran’s Australian Super Rugby team of the week

James Slipper (player of the week), Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Tom Wright.