As Les Kiss prepares to possibly bow out as the Reds' coach, he's not going quietly into that good night. With his eyes set on a monumental upset, Kiss believes his team can unsettle the Chiefs in the upcoming Super Rugby playoff in Hamilton. The stakes are high, not just for the team, but personally for Kiss, as he gears up to take on the Wallabies coaching role, marking the end of his three-year tenure with the Reds.
The historical data doesn't favor Queensland. The Chiefs have had the upper hand in recent years, securing victories in 10 out of the last 13 encounters, including a clean sweep in all playoff duels. Moreover, they have a particularly strong record against Australian teams in their home turf playoffs. Yet, Kiss carries an unshakeable belief into Saturday's clash, fueled by the potential for a stunning disruption.
"I think we can scare them, that’s for sure,”
Kiss voiced confidently. “These boys are hungry for a win and want to take another step forward. That’s the mission. We’ve got to stand up and then let’s see.”
While the Reds are navigating through the absence of key players Hunter Paisami and Seru Uru due to injuries, the Chiefs are bolstering their ranks with the return of seven All Blacks, including the influential Damian McKenzie and captain Luke Jacobson. McKenzie, embracing the playoff pressure, shared his enthusiasm about the upcoming game.
"The boys are really excited to rip in this weekend,”
McKenzie remarked, highlighting the Chiefs' readiness for the challenge.
Despite the impending career shift to the Wallabies, where Kiss will succeed Joe Schmidt following the Nations Championship matches against Ireland, France, and Italy, his current focus remains unwaveringly on the Reds. He expressed how the team's immediate needs keep him grounded in the present, pushing the thoughts of his future role to the periphery for now. As both teams gear up for what promises to be a riveting showdown, the rugby world watches closely, anticipating whether Kiss can orchestrate a farewell that shakes the foundations of Super Rugby expectations.