Wallabies coach-in-waiting Less Kiss admits he has enough to deal with at the Queensland Reds before preparing the tournament hosts for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Kiss on Wednesday backed Rugby Australia's plan to stick with Joe Schmidt until next August, despite the New Zealand mentor presiding over the Wallabies' first winless four-Test tour of Europe since 1958.
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While fully committed to his final Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Reds, Kiss understands rugby fans' interest in how he hopes to revive the Wallabies' fortunes in just 14 months before the next global showpiece in Australia.
"I don't mind delving into that a little bit because I do think the positivity around the game is there," he said.
"The players are working hard. When I talk to any of them, they have a strong sense of belief about where they're going.
"The results aren't showing at the moment. I don't think it's reflective of what's going to be possible going forward.
"I have a strong belief in all the players, what Joe's doing, what the coaching group are doing, what (RA CEO) Phil (Waugh) is doing from a leadership point of view.
"There's some strong direction set. We'll stay the course and we'll stick to the plan and that will work out.
"But my job now is to add value with the Queensland Reds."
And after acquiring two flyhalves to a roster already boasting Tom Lynagh, Schmidt's go-to No.10 for this year's series against the touring British and Irish Lions, Kiss's first dilemma is dealing with his play-making embarrassment of riches.
As well as picking up Carter Gordon after the Queensland-born talent's ill-fated one-season stint in the NRL, the Reds have also signed 34-year-old Fijian international Ben Volavola.
With Harry McLaughlin-Phillips also at his disposal, that gives Kiss four flyhalf options to consider for the Reds in 2026.
"That's the big question mark on that, in a lot of people's heads," Kiss said.
"But none of them take it for granted. None of them are entitled. I can sense that.
"They just want to work hard for their position, so we'll go out and see how it goes.
"But they'll all get a chance to show their wares."
Kiss concedes he will inevitably need to use some of his playmakers in other positions.
Gordon, who returned to the Wallabies gold on last month's spring tour, is also comfortable playing fullback or inside centre, for example.
"They can all play a couple of positions as well, which gives us enough scope to be able to be flexible with our decisions in terms of starting, benching and being able to rotate when we need to," Kiss said.
"You need that flexibility in your team, and it only strengthens the team and I know the mindset of all the players.
"We'll be using them all at some stage, that's for sure."
Volavola will be playing for his fourth Super Rugby club, having debuted at the NSW Waratahs in 2013. He then had one-season stints at the Melbourne Rebels and Crusaders in 2016 and 2017.
"I think everyone would agree, particularly the young guys, that Ben's been a real form of experience about the game," Kiss said.
"He's sat with the young guys, numerous times in front of the computers. He's brought his voice forward in all the meetings about little techniques and tactics that he's brought, or learnt through his game.
"He's a guy that wants to serve this team, and I've been really impressed with that, how he's gone about his business.
"He knows the important role he'll play."
