Reds coach Les Kiss promises Queensland will ‘get better’ following quarter-final defeat

The Reds believe something ‘special’ has been built in the Queensland camp despite Friday night’s Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final loss.

Reds coach Les Kiss is adamant Queensland has taken a “big step” this year despite being knocked out in the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals for the second successive season.

The Reds were beaten 43-21 by the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night after a poor start ruined any hopes they had of avenging last year’s 29-20 loss to the same opponent at the same stage of the competition.

The Chiefs charged to a 28-0 lead after just 24 minutes, and the visitors never recovered.

Reds co-captain Tate McDermott said the Queenslanders “just weren’t good enough” and that it was a case of “deja vu from last year”.

Kiss agreed that his side fell short in key areas in the do-or-die affair, but overall was pleased with the progress Queensland had made in his first season in charge.

Reds coach Les Kiss is confident his side will ‘get better’. Picture: David Rowland/AFP

“We went from eighth (on the table) to fifth – that’s a big step,” the Reds coach said.

“Our try-scoring, our for and against and all the metrics that you’re playing a good, positive style of game (were up), so we’re really happy with how those outcomes came out, but more than anything, it was the fact that the boys built a really special locker room.

“They care for each other deeply. They have a lot of passion for each other, and empathy. All those soft skills are really strong things that we do have in the place now.

“That doesn’t always win you footy matches, but it puts you in the hunt. I’m really proud of what they did in that locker room, and what they’ve built.

“We’ll regroup. We know we’ll get better.”

McDermott said it was vital the Reds not only learnt from the “harsh lessons” of Friday night, but also progressed from them.

“We take these learnings, we actually learn from them, and we get better collectively,” the Wallabies halfback said.

“This squad had a lot of potential and we felt like we probably could have done a bit more (against the Chiefs), and there were times there we probably let ourselves down, so from that point it’s disappointing ... (but) reflecting on the year that was, it was a really enjoyable year.

“We played some great footy and we birthed a lot of new talent in guys that had blinders of a season.

“The work that the coaches have put in has been phenomenal. The growth in individuals based off the coaching program, the coaching philosophies and how they get the best out of these boys every day has been nothing short of special.

“There’s a lot to be optimistic about.”

Originally published as Reds coach Les Kiss promises Queensland will ‘get better’ following quarter-final defeat