Morgan Turinui believes Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss remains the frontrunner to succeed Joe Schmidt as Wallabies boss.
Kiss has been heavily linked to the job since Schmidt announced he would be stepping aside after the Rugby Championship in October.
Kiss and Schmidt have worked together previously with Ireland and could continue doing so with the Wallabies through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Schmidt wants to spend more time in New Zealand for family reasons but is open to staying on with Rugby Australia in an advisory role should the next coach be keen for such an arrangement.
Former Wallabies assistants Dan McKellar (NSW Waratahs) and Stephen Larkham (ACT Brumbies) are also in the mix.
“We’d probably still like to talk him out of being replaced. He’s done such a great job,” former Test back Turinui said of Schmidt on Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
“I think of the three Australian coaches that are in line, Les Kiss is the favourite. He’s the most experienced coach.
“He’s got a good relationship, with the Ireland set up, for what Joe Schmidt had. He has been the favourite because it just seemed to fit.
“It’s a team that he’s done well with last year, the Reds, and they’re expected to continue to improve. He’s a guy that coached me 20 years ago (at the Waratahs), outstanding coach, great human.
“Going to be interesting to have a former Origin great, Queenslander, coach the Wallabies if it happens.”
Turinui was speaking before the Reds were hammered 43-19 by the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday.
The 2-1 Reds are fifth on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.
McKellar has piloted the Waratahs – last year’s wooden spooners – to a 3-0 start and they are the only unbeaten team in the competition.
Larkham led the 2-2 Brumbies to a drought breaking 21-20 win over the defending champion Blues at Eden Park on Friday night.
“Both put their hand up,” Turinui noted.
“McKellar will add a hard edge to this Waratahs team, which is what the Wallabies need, but Larkham is also hugely experienced.
“Michael Cheika is probably the resume you’d want to be better than if you want to get the job. I wouldn’t expect him (Cheika) to get it.
“If it’s not an Aussie, then it’s got to be an internationally experienced foreigner like a Vern Cotter, the one that conquered the Blues.
“Which means a guy like Ronan O’Gara – who’s done a good job at La Rochelle – is absolutely not what you want to do, risk an inexperienced international coach two years out from a home World Cup.”
Turinui agreed with Schmidt’s assessment of guarded optimism.
“We’re on a cautious high. Tahs, three wins in a row, best start since 2009 and the manner of victory against the Western Force.
They were physical, they were efficient, they were exactly what was needed. They looked the goods, the Tahs. They’ll go up to play Queensland in that big State of Origin match next week as well.”
The Wallabies also have a close eye on the Six Nations as they prepare for the British and Irish Lions visit this year.
Defending champions Ireland were stunned 42-27 by France in Dublin on Sunday (AEDT).
“The Irish players are expected to make up the largest contingent of that British and Irish Lions team,” Turinui said.
“Andy Farrell, who is normally the Irish coach, is the Lions coach. It’s probably a good thing for Australia that Ireland may end up finishing something like third.
“The more non-Irish players that Andy Farrell may feel obliged to pick, probably helps (Australia). That cohesion that we always talk about, really hurting the Lions. You’ve got to remember that the Lions are really greater than the sum of their parts – picking England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales players – so you’re probably cheering against Ireland if you’re a Wallabies supporter.”
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