Les Kiss admits last week’s bye was welcomed by everyone at the Queensland Reds, but the favourite to succeed Joe Schmidt as the next Wallabies coach insists he’s not losing sleep by Rugby Australia’s drawn-out search.

Rugby Australia had hoped to appoint Kiss as Schmidt’s successor a week ago, but their attempts to announce the 60-year-old as the next Wallabies coach have been slowed by the backroom dealings between the national body and the Queensland Rugby Union.

Without an international get-out clause in his three-year contract, the QRU has naturally asked RA for compensation to ensure they’re not left empty-handed in their search to replace Kiss.

While it sounds simple enough, RA’s slowness in highlighting Kiss as their preferred candidate has meant time is getting away from them.

As highlighted by the $36.8 million deficit, RA aren’t swimming in cash. Nor are there a plethora of proven head coaching candidates available on the market midway through the World Cup cycle.

Although it’s expected a resolution will be found in the coming days, the fact the hunt for Schmidt’s replacement has dragged deep into the Super Rugby season has concerned many.

But Kiss, who is widely recognised as a fundamentally good person and astute coach, at least wasn’t letting the impression that the off-field hunt had been unsettling and a distraction.

“The boys don’t talk about it, the staff don’t, and if there’s anything major, I’ll keep them updated,” Kiss said on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s crunch Anzac clash with the Blues.

“It’s an impressive group of people in the building here and the locker room, who have said let’s continue to work on what we’re about.

“I’ve been impressed by their focus and their ability to stay on track.”

Reds coach Les Kiss admits the week off came at the right time, but he’s not been distracted by the ongoing search to find Joe Schmidt’s replacement. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

Asked specifically how it was affecting him, Kiss said he wasn’t losing sleep.

“I’m sleeping well; it’ll take its course,” said Kiss, who was an assistant with Ireland at two World Cups, including one under Schmidt in 2015.

“Those timelines aren’t mine, it’ll happen when it happens.”

Several players have said they want a resolution fast, with Test regular Jake Gordon one of the many Wallabies who are holding off a decision on their future until the next coach is confirmed.

Noah Lolesio, who started in 11 of 13 Tests last year, said the drawn-out nature to find Schmidt’s replacement had influenced his decision to head overseas.

But Kiss reiterated that he was happy to let nature take its course.

“I’m absolutely happy with how it’s going,” he said.

“People are talking. If it lands, it lands, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

“I do know one thing, my full commitment is in this building behind me and the 80 minutes in the rectangle on the weekend. That hasn’t wavered at all, and that’s what I’m proud of.”

Les Kiss addresses the Queensland Reds. Photo: Queensland Rugby Union

While Kiss admitted his group, including the staff, had been re-energised by the week off, the former Queensland Maroons winger said their confidence hadn’t been dented by consecutive defeats that had seen the Reds drop from first to fourth this month.

“There was a little bit of tiredness,” Kiss said.

“I think we take a lot of confidence from the two games. There were a couple of (controversial) calls in the Chiefs game; a try disallowed, a yellow card for someone rubbing the head of a player – it didn’t quite fall for us.

“We take confidence that we’re at the coal face. Now, we’ve just got to meet each challenge and take the opportunities that we can create.

“We’re under no illusions that this is tough, but I do think that this a competition that I don’t think we’re going to work out a lot for a few weeks yet. Any team can do anything on any given day, so you’ve got to wins the ones you need to. It’ll be an interesting three or four weeks.”

Kiss has welcomed back the reliable and experienced Jock Campbell at fullback for Friday’s showdown with the Blues.

But the Reds have lost Matt Faessler, with the Wallaby expected to miss at least another couple of weeks because of a hamstring injury. Richie Asiata once again returns to the No.2 jersey.

Interestingly, Kiss has opted for the same second-row duo of recent times with Jock Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto starting ahead of Ryan Smith.

The Blues have named a strong side, with Vern Cotter springing a surprise by naming quality hooker Ricky Riccitelli and star playmaker Beauden Barrett on the bench.

Star All Blacks Dalton Papali’I and Caleb Clarke have also been ruled out.

Despite the Blues’ slow start to the year, Kiss wisely said the Reds weren’t taking their trans-Tasman opponents lightly.

“[We’re] very wary of their weapons,” he said.

“They’ve probably been up and down. They carried a heavy injury toll. They’ve had to navigate through some choppy waters. We’re going to need to be good.”