'Never seen a more engaged bunch of players': Special Les Kiss quality that could deliver Rugby World Cup

Dual code great Mat Rogers says the Wallabies can "absolutely" win the 2027 Rugby World Cup under incoming coach Les Kiss.

Queensland Reds boss Kiss will have just 14 months to work his magic with the national side when he takes the reins from his good mate and fellow former winger Joe Schmidt in July next year.

The Wallabies are ranked eighth in the world and failed to make the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament under Eddie Jones in France.

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Schmidt and Kiss both kept expectations in check at Wednesday's press conference, stressing actions over words and the need to steadily build a competitive, sustainable programme together.

But Rogers - who went painfully close to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2003 - says fellow code hopper Kiss can go one better on home soil.

"Absolutely," Rogers replied when asked if Australia can lift its third World Cup on Stan Sport's Inside Line.

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"I've never seen a more engaged bunch of players. When I stand on the sideline up there doing a Reds game, I've never seen a more engaged, upbeat group of men.

"I liken it, it reminds me - and not saying we were world beaters - but I just remember the time we had at the Waratahs and we had a fair bit of success (from 2002-06). We were playing finals, we made the Super Rugby final (in 2005), just the tightness of the group and the engagement with the coach and how we're all one body.

"And every time I'm around that Reds organisation, I see it. I know Les will transfer that into the Wallabies and I think it's going to be wonderful."

NEW PODCAST! Inside Line break down the appointment of Les Kiss as Wallabies coach following a handover from Joe Schmidt

The concern over Kiss is that he is yet to win major silverware as a head coach.

But the 60-year-old was by Schmidt's side for a golden era of Ireland rugby and has built on Brad Thorn's foundations at the Reds.

Queensland sit fourth on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder ahead of a clash with the Fijian Drua in Suva on Saturday.

Kiss will continue coaching the Reds in 2026 and will need to be wary around any potential conflicts of interest.

Kiss told Stan Sport's Michael Atkinson that he would not be directly involved in Rugby Australia's national player contracting process until he leaves the Reds but would give his opinions if asked.

"That is a process that's going to have to be mapped out and very transparent for other provinces and other players considering their future in Australian rugby," players association chief executive Justin Harrison cautioned on Inside Line.

"Clearly having the future Wallabies coach talking to a Reds player about their likelihood of staying here and then their succession planning and where they fit in the picture and the talent depth chart - and whether that coach envisages them playing for Australia or not - yeah, there is an element there that Les could possibly be positioned as having a slight advantage because he's going to be the man that's picking that person or not.

"So they'll have to be very careful about that."

Harrison, the former Wallabies lock, applauded the pick of the former State of Origin and Test league star.

"Les Kiss, this is not a foreign coach, this is not an unknown entity... Les Kiss is an Australian sporting icon. He's got endorsement from a healthy group of players who have been overseas. Ulster, London Irish, those experiences with Ireland as well," Harrison said.

Kiss told reporters that he would largely follow Schmidt's blueprint with the Wallabies and there would be no "rip and tear" repeat of the Jones regime.

"Taking on the role is scary, but exciting at the same time," Kiss said.

"It's an honour to do what I'm doing. We're a bloody talented country, aren't we? We can play the game. There will not be any excuses there. There's going to be strong things in place that I can tap into and dovetail, and bring my points of difference to.

"That continuation is massively important in terms of making sure when I step in there people are still certain about how they work and how they do their job. Maybe the difference will be my jokes are better than Joe's.

"I'm not trying to be flippant there, but I'm just saying it's massively important that the players know there's not a rip and tear. This is a country that expects a lot in the sporting market... and I'm very clear with what I want to be able to do with that team."