Joe Schmidt’s departure from the Wallabies will not spell the end of his involvement in Australian rugby, with the outgoing head coach confirmed as part of a high-powered Australia A coaching group led by ACT Brumbies boss Stephen Larkham.

Rugby Australia announced on Friday that Larkham will take charge of the second-tier programme in 2026, with Schmidt and Western Force head coach Simon Cron completing the coaching ticket. The appointment ensures Schmidt, widely regarded as one of rugby’s most astute tactical minds, remains embedded in the Australian system ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

Schmidt will conclude his time as Wallabies head coach after the Nations Championship Test against Italy in Perth on July 18, handing the reins to Les Kiss. The New Zealander had initially planned to step away at the end of the 2025 Rugby Championship before extending his tenure to accommodate Kiss finishing his commitments with the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby Pacific.

The 60-year-old has been open about his desire to spend more time with his family, particularly his son Luke, who has severe epilepsy. He is expected to return to Ireland for several months after the July handover before pulling on the Australian coaching kit once more for the Australia A campaign.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia A are set to embark on a two-game tour of the United States in October, reportedly facing the USA Eagles, who have already qualified for the 2027 World Cup. The full fixture list is expected to be confirmed later this month.

While the move from Wallabies head coach to Australia A assistant might appear a demotion on paper, it is a deliberate and calculated choice. Schmidt served as a senior assistant to Ian Foster’s All Blacks in 2022 and 2023, helping guide New Zealand to the World Cup final, and has never been one to let ego dictate his decision-making. Those close to the situation suggest he is highly conscious of allowing Kiss to take full ownership of the Wallabies without his presence clouding the picture.

The appointment nonetheless keeps open the tantalising possibility of Schmidt taking up a more formal role with the Wallabies in 2027. Rugby Australia has been eager to retain his services in some capacity through to the home World Cup, though the coach has stopped short of committing to anything beyond being available as a sounding board for his successor.

Schmidt’s record across more than 100 Tests as head coach of Ireland and Australia — in addition to senior roles with the All Blacks, Leinster, the Blues and ASM Clermont Auvergne — makes him one of the most decorated coaches in the professional era. His three Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam with Ireland, along with the transformation of a Wallabies side left in ruins after the 2023 World Cup, underline the scale of expertise he brings to the Australia A environment.

Larkham earns top job after sustained coaching success

Larkham, meanwhile, earns the top job as recognition of his sustained excellence across a 16-year coaching career. The former Wallabies fly-half, who won 102 Test caps and was part of Australia’s 1999 World Cup-winning squad, has built an impressive CV since hanging up his boots. His coaching journey began at the Brumbies in 2011 as an assistant before he was elevated to the head coach role in 2014. He served as Wallabies attack coach from 2015 to 2019, a period that included Australia’s run to the 2015 World Cup final, before a three-year stint as senior coach at Munster in Ireland.

Since returning to the Brumbies in 2022, Larkham has guided the Canberra-based franchise to two Super Rugby Pacific semi-final appearances, most recently being eliminated in the qualifying finals.

“Australia A is a crucial bridge between Super Rugby and Test rugby,” Larkham said. “It gives players the opportunity to experience the demands of an international programme while continuing their development in a high-performance environment. There is some outstanding talent coming through Australian rugby and it’s exciting to work with players who have the potential to become future Wallabies.”

Cron rounds out the coaching group fresh from leading the Force to their best season in 12 years, winning five of their last six matches in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign. The experienced coach recently re-signed with the Perth-based franchise for the 2027 season.

Building depth ahead of 2027

Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance, Peter Horne, framed the appointments as central to the organisation’s World Cup preparation strategy.

“We are pleased to have assembled a highly credentialed and experienced Australia A coaching staff for this year,” Horne said. “To have Stephen, Simon and Joe driving this programme will ensure our next cohort of players get access to an elite-level environment where they have the opportunity to grow and develop their games. With the home World Cup firmly on the horizon, building genuine depth is one of our key priorities, and this campaign will allow us to do exactly that.”

The Australia A programme has become an increasingly important pillar of Rugby Australia’s high-performance pathway since its return from a 14-year absence in 2022. The team has recorded six wins and a draw from 11 matches, with previous campaigns taking in tours to Japan, Fiji for the Pacific Nations Cup, and the United Kingdom for fixtures against England A and the Bristol Bears.

By exposing a broader pool of players to an elite-level environment, the programme is designed to bridge the gap between domestic Super Rugby Pacific competition and the demands of Test rugby — a gap that has historically been one of Australian rugby’s most persistent weaknesses.

The strength of this year’s coaching ticket sends a clear signal about the seriousness with which Rugby Australia is approaching the task. With Schmidt’s tactical acumen, Larkham’s development pedigree and Cron’s recent Super Rugby success, Australia A’s next cohort of aspiring Wallabies will have access to a coaching brain trust few second-tier programmes anywhere in the world could rival.

For Schmidt, it represents one more chapter in what has been a remarkable, if unconventional, relationship with Australian rugby. For Larkham, it is another step in a coaching trajectory that appears destined, sooner or later, for the very top of the game.

Sydney Roosters and Kangaroos star Angus Crichton will return to rugby union in 2027, signing a two-year deal with the NSW Waratahs and Rugby Australia as he pursues his childhood dream of representing the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

The 29-year-old backrower confirmed his code switch on Wednesday, becoming the latest high-profile NRL player to join the exodus to rugby union ahead of Australia’s hosting of the global tournament. Crichton will complete the 2026 NRL season with the Roosters before linking up with the Waratahs, where he will reunite with former teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

The move represents a homecoming of sorts for Crichton, who starred in rugby union during his schoolboy years at Scots College, representing Australian Schoolboys in 2014 as a centre and number eight. His journey to this point has been circuitous – turning down a Waratahs academy contract to sign with South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2016, going on to play 198 NRL matches, winning a premiership with the Roosters in 2019, and establishing himself as an elite representative player with 17 State of Origin appearances for NSW and 11 Test caps for the Kangaroos.

Crichton’s decorated rugby league career includes winning the prestigious Wally Lewis Medal as State of Origin player of the series in 2024, whilst he also featured for Australia on their 2025 Ashes Tour. His consistent excellence at the highest level – maintaining above 90 per cent tackle efficiency in eight of his 10 seasons – has made him one of rugby league’s premier forwards.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be returning to the sport I played throughout my childhood,” Crichton said in a statement released by Rugby Australia. “Growing up in Young, I have great memories driving up on buses to Canberra with the other farmers and their families for the Tahs-Brumbies game every year. To have a chance to play in the same Waratahs jersey as Lote Tuqiri, my favourite rugby player as a kid, is something special. I grew up with a Wallabies jersey and poster on my wall and my dream was to one day represent them.”

The signing represents a significant coup for Rugby Australia, which has been strategically targeting rugby league players with previous union experience who can quickly adapt to the 15-man game. Crichton’s deal, reported to be worth approximately £325,000 per season, includes a get-out clause following the 2027 World Cup, providing flexibility for both player and organisation.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh welcomed the acquisition enthusiastically. “We are thrilled to be bringing Angus back to rugby ahead of a momentous 2027 season, highlighted by a once-in-a-generation home Rugby World Cup,” Waugh stated. “Angus excelled as a rugby player through the schoolboy and junior ranks and we believe he will make a strong contribution to the performance and culture of Australian Rugby. He has developed into an elite talent and leader in rugby league and now has the opportunity to showcase his talent on the unique global platform that rugby provides.”

The tactical positioning of Crichton within the Wallabies structure presents intriguing possibilities. At 102 kilograms, the powerful ball-runner possesses the physical attributes and offloading ability that could translate effectively to inside centre, following the template established by Sonny Bill Williams when he successfully transitioned from rugby league backrower to union midfielder. Alternatively, Crichton could be deployed as a ball-carrying flanker or number eight, utilising his edge running skills developed in rugby league.

Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar expressed confidence in Crichton’s ability to adapt. “We’re pleased to add someone of Angus’ calibre to the Waratahs for 2027,” McKellar said. “He’s the ultimate professional who will bring a high level of physicality and edge to the group. With his rugby union background, I’m sure he’ll be able to adapt quickly and will be raring to go when he arrives.”

Should Crichton establish himself at inside centre, it could facilitate tactical flexibility for the Wallabies, potentially allowing John Eales medallist Len Ikitau to return to his preferred number 13 jersey, whilst freeing Suaalii to operate at fullback or wing where his exceptional aerial skills could be maximised.

However, Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance Peter Horne will be mindful of the cautionary tale of Sam Burgess, whose ill-fated switch from rugby league prop to England’s inside centre for the 2015 Rugby World Cup ended with the hosts’ pool-stage elimination and Burgess’s swift return to league. The contrasting success of Ben Te’o, who thrived for Leinster and England after making a similar transition, demonstrates the unpredictability of such moves.

Peter Horne emphasised the strategic importance of the signing. “The signing of Angus is an important step as we continue to build depth across Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific squads and ensure internal competition for national selection,” he explained. “Angus has a deep connection with rugby union as a former Australian Schoolboys representative and has consistently played at the highest level in league. We’re looking forward to bringing him back to rugby and introducing his unique experiences and skillset into our environment from next season.”

Crichton’s return to rugby union comes during a significant period of cross-code movement. His Roosters teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase has signed to play in Japan’s League One competition in 2027, also positioning himself for World Cup selection, whilst speculation regarding Zac Lomax’s potential code switch appears to have cooled after Rugby Australia declined to offer substantial top-up payments. Lomax now seems likely to remain in the NRL with Melbourne Storm.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup on Australian soil represents a unique opportunity for Rugby Australia to capitalise on home advantage and national interest. The recruitment strategy focusing on players with rugby union backgrounds who can transition quickly reflects a pragmatic approach from Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss and current coach Joe Schmidt.

For Crichton, the decision represents the fulfilment of a long-held ambition. He came close to switching codes in 2023, nearly signing with the Western Force, and has maintained friendships within rugby circles. His attendance at Wallabies matches during their 2024 Spring Tour in Europe signalled his continuing interest in the 15-man game.

“I am pleased to have confirmed my plans for beyond this season and look forward to fully focusing on the campaign ahead with my teammates and family at the Roosters,” Crichton concluded, making clear his commitment to finishing his rugby league career strongly before embarking on his union adventure.

As Crichton prepares for his final NRL season, Australian rugby union supporters will eagerly anticipate his return to the code where he first made his mark, hopeful that his elite athleticism, big-game experience and rural roots – those bus trips from Young to Canberra – will translate into Wallabies success when it matters most in 2027.Claude is AI and can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

Carter Gordon’s brief foray into rugby league has come to an end, with Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds announcing the return of the 2023 Wallabies flyhalf on a three-year contract that runs through to the end of 2028.

Carter returns through to the end of ‘28⚡️#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/NL4CO4iRi2

— Wallabies (@wallabies) October 13, 2025

The signing, which was finalised in a matter of days according to Reds coach Les Kiss, sees Gordon immediately added to Joe Schmidt’s 34-man Wallabies squad for the upcoming Spring Tour of Japan and Europe. It marks a remarkable turnaround for a player who made just one NRL appearance after his high-profile code switch in 2024.

Gordon, who earned eight Test caps and played at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, left rugby union following the financial collapse of the Melbourne Rebels, for whom he had made 46 Super Rugby appearances. His departure was seen as a significant blow to Australian rugby at the time, with the talented playmaker choosing to sign a two-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans.

However, Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh moved quickly to secure Gordon’s return, negotiating a release from the second year of his NRL contract. It’s understood RA was forced to pay a transfer fee to the Titans, with reports suggesting the deal is worth more than $500,000.

“We are pleased Carter is returning to rugby after excelling as a junior with Sunshine Coast Grammar, Brisbane Boys’ College and Wests in Brisbane before taking the step up to Super Rugby and Test arena at a young age,” Waugh said. “Carter’s signing will ensure additional healthy competition at the Reds and the Wallabies and provides him with a two-year runway to make his case for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.”

For Gordon, the move represents a return to his roots. The Nambour-born playmaker first signed with the Reds as a 17-year-old schoolboy in 2018 but never managed to break into the senior side during three injury-affected seasons. His move to the Rebels in 2021 provided the platform he needed, and he quickly established himself as one of Super Rugby Pacific’s most promising talents.

“I’m stoked to return to the game I grew up playing and loving as a kid, especially with the opportunity to represent the team I grew up supporting, the Queensland Reds,” Gordon said. “I’ve watched both Queensland and the Wallabies from afar over the past year or so, and the journey they’re on motivates me to want to work hard and contribute positively on and off the field.”

Gordon’s rugby league stint was hampered by a serious spinal injury that delayed his debut until the Titans’ final-round clash with the Wests Tigers in September, where he played in the centres. With limited opportunities ahead and a home Rugby World Cup just two years away, the timing proved right for a return. “I’d also like to thank the Gold Coast Titans for the opportunity to grow as a player and person at their club and for all their support for me and my family over the past 16 months,” Gordon added. “I wish the players and the staff all the best for what’s ahead.”

Speaking to reporters in Brisbane, Kiss revealed the speed at which the deal came together, describing the process as “absolutely rapid” and taking just four or five days to complete. “I think there was always something in Carter’s mind that he’d like to come back one day, but from my perspective, this just accelerated in the last four or five days,” Kiss explained. “It was a combined thing in terms of RA and Queensland, just getting it to a point to make things work. I wasn’t involved in that whole process, but as you can imagine, we’re very happy to have Carter coming back to the Reds.”

The Reds coach, who will succeed Schmidt as Wallabies coach following next year’s British & Irish Lions series, was quick to highlight Gordon’s physical attributes whilst also managing expectations around his immediate role. “The one thing about Carter is he’s got a good size about him – he’s got a good height, he’s robust, he’s physical, and he meets all those things to be able to play what is now a very, very challenging position in the game,” Kiss said. “Tens are targeted a lot, and he gives us another quality option to be able to play in that position and balance out how we want to play our game.”

Gordon’s arrival adds depth to the playmaking stocks at both the Reds and Wallabies level. At Ballymore, he joins Tom Lynagh, rising star Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Fijian international Ben Volavola in the flyhalf pecking order. Lynagh, 22, has been omitted from the Wallabies’ Spring Tour squad due to a lingering hamstring issue that has prevented him from training and playing consistently since the British & Irish Lions series.

“He hasn’t had a lot of volume in running, a lot of volume getting over a ball, hasn’t had a lot of volume in his kicking, so we’ve got an opportunity in the next two weeks to just work on that,” Kiss said of Lynagh’s rehabilitation. “We’ve got a plan that we’re putting together with RA to make sure that we get that right. He’ll have a leave period, and then he’ll have a full pre-season with us, and I think that’ll be good for him as well.”

Kiss was careful to emphasise that Gordon faces genuine competition for the No. 10 jersey, particularly praising McLaughlin-Phillips’s attitude and development. “One thing you know about Harry, he’s a competitor and he’s young and learning at a rate of knots as well, so he’ll take this on in a positive way, and we’ve already spoken, and he knows that the challenge is there,” Kiss said. “He didn’t feel entitled to anything beforehand, Harry, so he just wants to fight hard and earn his position as well.”

Gordon has been named alongside Tane Edmed as Schmidt’s playmaking options for the Spring Tour, which begins with a Test against Japan in Tokyo on 25 October. The tour also includes matches against England, Italy, Ireland and France. It presents Gordon with the opportunity to reunite with some familiar faces, including working under Schmidt for the first time since the Wallabies coach took over from Eddie Jones. It was Jones who controversially selected Gordon to start at flyhalf during the 2023 World Cup campaign.

Gordon became Wallaby No. 967 when he debuted off the bench against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld in 2023, making an immediate impression by grubber-kicking ahead, receiving a pass and running more than 60 metres to score a remarkable try. He went on to make three appearances at the World Cup, starting against Georgia and Fiji before coming off the bench against Wales.

However, the tournament proved difficult for both Gordon and the Wallabies. After Australia’s shock defeat to Fiji in Saint-Étienne, where Gordon spilt a box kick that led to Fiji’s only try, he was dropped to the bench and later joined the injury list before the team’s elimination in the pool stages.

Kiss was adamant that Gordon’s versatility will prove valuable for the Reds, noting that the playmaker can operate at flyhalf, inside centre and fullback – positions where all of Queensland’s options can also play. “If you look at all our tens, they give something different, and that’s a real plus for us as well, and they can all play 12, and they can all play 15, which is fantastic,” Kiss said. “In every Super Rugby Pacific season, there are challenges with how byes are placed and travel periods. Increasing depth across our squad is definitely helpful.”

For Waugh and Rugby Australia, Gordon’s return represents a significant coup in their strategic approach to the 2027 World Cup cycle. With the tournament to be hosted on home soil, having Gordon back in the system provides crucial depth and competition in the crucial flyhalf position. “Rugby Australia has taken a strategic approach to player contracting this World Cup cycle and we are delighted to bring Carter back into the system,” Waugh said.