New Wallabies back-row forward Nick Champion de Crespigny expects the transition to new head coach Les Kiss to be \u201cseamless\u201d when current boss Joe Schmidt steps aside later this year.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the press this week, the 29-year-old said: \u201cLes Kiss has spent a bit of time with us while we\u2019re on tour, and I think it\u2019ll be a pretty seamless transition for the group. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone\u2019s excited for it, and now we\u2019re excited to have the first three games with Joe, also. I think there\u2019s a bit of unfinished business there, and we\u2019re excited to get stuck into that.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked about his personal relationship with Kiss<\/a>, he said: \u201cI\u2019ve had a few conversations here or there when he\u2019s been in and around the group, but he seems great, like a really good guy.<\/p>\n Comparing the departing coach with the man set to take over, Champion de Crespigny added: \u201cI think they\u2019ve got a lot of similar principles, so it should be quite seamless.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe Schmidt and the Wallabies\u2019 future<\/p>\n Schmidt is on his way out, but those involved in the Wallabies camp are keen for him not to venture too far.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a group, we love Joe, and you\u2019ve seen the change in the group with Joe,\u201d continued Champion de Crespigny. \u201cWhatever position he wants to take, if that\u2019s possible with his family commitments, we\u2019d love that, but we support him either way.\u201d<\/p>\n Back in camp as a refresher, Champion de Crespigny and his teammates are looking forward to what 2026 can bring.<\/p>\n \u201cCamp\u2019s been good for us to reconnect as a group and review last year, and sort out areas where we can grow,\u201d he said. \u201cI think everyone\u2019s looking forward. We\u2019ve got a big few years coming up, with a home World Cup, and that new Nations Cup\u2019s really exciting.<\/p>\n Nick Champion de Crespigny\u2019s time as captain<\/p>\n The Western Force<\/a> star was a surprise captaincy selection in only his third ever Test last year, but took the opportunity in his stride, helping the Wallabies to defeat Japan in Tokyo.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think that was going to happen,\u201d said Champion de Crespigny on being given the leadership duties.<\/p>\n \u201cI was very privileged for it to happen, and very grateful that the group trusted me. But I also sit there with 15 other guys who were leaders on the team, so it\u2019s made it really easy for me out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Having such a heavy burden placed around your neck in the early days of an international career would be hard for anyone, but Champion de Crespigny insists that it didn\u2019t affect who he was.<\/p>\n \u201cIt definitely has its burden. You take a lot of pride in representing the group, and I hope to emulate that when I play as captain,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I don\u2019t try to change who I am around the group. Regardless of if you got a C next to your name or not, you try to lead with your actions and be who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n Ex-Springbok\u2019s verdict on JP Pietersen coaching the Sharks amid \u2018frustrating\u2019 tactics<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think everything\u2019s earned\u201d<\/p>\n Just because he\u2019s achieved captaincy at such an early stage doesn\u2019t guarantee him selection moving forward. In fact, for the latter stages of 2025, Champion de Crespigny was overlooked in favour of more experienced Wallabies.<\/p>\n \u201cI think everything\u2019s earned,\u201d he said about his chances of adding to his list of caps.<\/p>\n \u201cI know this year it\u2019s gonna have to be another big Super Rugby season. And to be part of this group, there are lots of great players in Super Rugby. You\u2019re gonna have to compete every single week to get back in here.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019s been happy to get his first taste of international rugby, but admits that it still hasn\u2019t really sunk in.<\/p>\n \u201cWhirlwind would probably be the word I\u2019d be thinking of. It was very fast. It was quite nice, because there\u2019s a lot of sacrifice to come back to Australia<\/a>, and that was the ambition, to come here and try to do that, and to be able to fulfil a dream was really good. <\/p>\n \u201cBut I think as everyone else is, you\u2019re always looking forward and trying and be better. So, you keep pushing.\u201d<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n