The Les Kiss coaching philosophy - from someone who worked within it daily

Zane Hilton has been back in Australia three years now, after another stint in Japan previous to that, and all three of those years have involved working alongside new Wallabies coach Les Kiss, in their time together at the Queensland Reds.

It was great to have him on the 8/9 Rugby podcast this week, and who better to provide the first-hand insight into what makes the new Wallabies coach tick?

Here’s some of the key details Zane Hilton outlined, as Les Kiss prepares to coach his first Test Match this Saturday night, when the Wallabies play Japan in Osaka.

On having ‘their guy’ named as Wallabies Coach

“We’re incredibly proud of that fact. As soon as Les was announced... he is the sort of guy that kept it to his chest for so long. Clearly, he was talking to them for a while but we had no inkling.

“We were just incredibly happy for him. To have a guy that has worked as hard as he has, and has the experience he has across both codes and multiple countries, to be given that opportunity - it’s just a great reward for the person he is.”

What does a Les Kiss-coached team look like fundamentally?

“Les is an incredible thinker of the game, there’s no doubt about that, and he thinks outside the box.

“One great example is our Reds DNA around our maul attack and maul defense. In the first year, there was certainly questions why we weren’t going for the penalty goal, but Les will back what he believes to be successful. When you have the best maul attack in the competition, there was just no question in his mind that we’re going to go there.

“One of the great strengths of Les is that he will allow the coaching team to breathe. It’ll be a non-siloed approach. If you asked about any area of the game, the coaching group would be across it, working out how they’re going to be successful as a team.”

Giving nothing away: Is it Les Kiss being guarded or is it tactical?

“I think every head coach probably has to be quite guarded to a point. When they start, that’s a real key strength of a good leader—being able to hold their cards close to their chest.

“That probably gives them really good clarity in their own mind.

“I totally agree around what is not said probably alluding to who he is as a person. He’s very calculated, he’s very calm, and he’s very clear on what the message needs to be for the players.”

Key tactical shifts for the Wallabies: what should we expect?

“Transition and turnover will be a key part of the Wallaby game. There’s no doubt that’ll be a key element. It has to be, given that close to 70% of possessions now are synonymous with what possession sources are successful within rugby currently.

“Les likes playing with possession. Turnover attack comes off the ability for your 15 and your backfield to get their hands on the ball quickly.

“We were lucky at the Reds with the form of Jock Campbell and the willingness of players like Timmy Ryan or Filipo Daugunu to want the ball.

“That connected approach - where not one person is only looking after kick chase, but it’s connected with set piece - that’s the strength of Les.”

The timing was great to have Zane Hilton on the 8/9 Rugby pod, having work so closely so recently, but also to get his insights into the Japanese game, in which he’s coached the Canon Eagles and Kyuden Voltex in League One.

His thoughts on the changes in physicality within League One were really interesting, and marry out with how we saw the Brave Blossoms playing through the Nations Championship.

See the full chat with Queensland Reds assistant coach Zane Hilton on the 8/9 Rugby YouTube channel, or listen in wherever you get your podcasts.