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'That man is a genius on many levels': Opponents heap praise on Damian McKenzie
By AAP
Les Kiss won't leave you unsure of his thoughts on the Chiefs as the injury-hit Queensland Reds prepare to welcome the Super Rugby Pacific leaders to town.
Brilliant, scary, genius and firepower were all words the coach used ahead of Saturday's third-round clash at Suncorp Stadium.
"Everyone else will be chasing them this year," he goes on.
Kiss, fresh off a decade coaching in Europe and South Africa but with six years under his belt as a NSW Waratahs assistant, has watched plenty of tape on the Chiefs since taking over from Brad Thorn at Ballymore.
Two games in particular were on rotation.
The Reds' incredible, hoodoo-busting 25-22 win in New Plymough that ended a 21-game losing streak in the country and kept their season alive.
And an equally-competitive 29-20 quarter-final loss that ended the Thorn era.
"Our boys went toe to toe with them a couple of times last year," Kiss said.
"They're (the Chiefs) on the Gold Coast this week; it shows they've put a bit of weight on it and we're really looking forward to it."
Kiss is without concussed strike pair Jordan Petaia and Hunter Paisami but has Isaac Henry and Jock Campbell at his disposal to replace them and the fire in the belly from a golden-point loss to the Hurricanes last week.
He said players might also hold on to memories of last year's clashes but felt tactically they've moved on.
"This game moves pretty quickly; it's apples and oranges," he said.
"We've got our mission and they've got theirs, but what I saw last week they're absolutely brilliant, the top team in the competition without doubt at this stage."
One constant remains Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie, who is a frontrunner to wear the No.10 for the All Blacks after continuing his fine 2023 form this season.
"That man is a genius on many levels," Kiss said.
"But it's not just about him. The guys that move around the park give him the opportunity."
Campbell will switch to fullback for the hosts, where he was impressive in the off-season, while former All Blacks prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 33, will come off the bench in his first Super contest since leaving for European rugby in 2019.
Sef Fa'agase will start in the front row to replace the injured Alex Hodgman (shoulder) while Junior Wallabies winger Tim Ryan has been selected on the bench for a potential Super Rugby Pacific debut.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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