Queensland and Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott expects Les Kiss to shine as national coach
Queensland Reds mentor Les Kiss has been endorsed ahead of his expected elevation to the role of Wallabies coach.
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Reds captain Tate McDermott has tipped Queensland coach Les Kiss to achieve “great things” with the Wallabies.
Kiss is set to replace Joe Schmidt when the New Zealander steps down as Wallabies coach in October.
McDermott, a regular member of the Wallabies squad who also captained the national team in 2023, had nothing but praise for his Queensland mentor.
“If it does happen, good on him,” the halfback of said Kiss’ expected elevation to Wallabies coach.
“He’s a great coach, and we’ll be super happy for him. He’s done great things for this club, and I’m sure he’d do great things up there (with Australia) as well.
“He’s just a really good person, and that’s super important, particularly with the younger profile of our squad.
“Being a good people person and also having that blend of being an experienced coach has been really important.”
McDermott denied the ongoing speculation about Kiss’ coaching future had distracted Queensland despite the fourth-placed Reds having lost their past two games ahead of Friday night’s Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
“It hasn’t just been in the background for the last couple of weeks, it’s been from the start (of the season), so I wouldn’t say it’s a distraction at all – we haven’t spoken about it,” he said.
“He’s still here until the end of the year, and that’s what’s important for us.”
McDermott said the Reds needed to win “those moments” against the Auckland-based Blues after falling short in back-to-back losses to the Chiefs and the ACT Brumbies.
“There were small margins in those games, but for us it’s about how do we best arm ourselves to be able to win those moments,” he said.
“You’ve always got to respect what the Blues bring to the table, and we’ve got to make sure we’re ready to match it.”
Meanwhile, McDermott’s teammate Ryan Smith is intent on leaving the Reds on a high after it was announced that he was departing Queensland at the end of the season to join Welsh club Ospreys on a two-year deal.
“I’m extremely grateful for my time at the Queensland Reds and for everyone at the club that has played a part in my development to this point,” the 28-year-old lock said.
“It’s important for me to repay that by giving my all until the end of the season and leaving on a high note.
“There is a great opportunity here for me to test myself in a new environment, which is always a challenge, but that is something that drives me as a player and person.”
Smith, who captained the Reds earlier this season, has been named on the bench for Friday night’s Anzac Day battle, in which the player of the match will be awarded the inaugural Sellars Dixon Medal.
The medal honours two fallen soldiers who represented their rugby provinces – Queensland’s Billy Dixon and Auckland’s George Sellars.
Both men were killed by machine gun fire on the same day during the Battle of Messines in Belgium on June 7, 1917.
Originally published as Queensland and Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott expects Les Kiss to shine as national coach
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