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Kiss confident Reds can 'scare' Chiefs in Super Rugby playoff / Photo: © AFP
Kiss confident Reds can 'scare' Chiefs in Super Rugby playoff
Queensland Reds' Les Kiss is confident his team can "scare" the Waikato Chiefs in their Super Rugby playoff in what could be his last game in charge before taking over as Wallabies coach.
Kiss's three-year tenure will end on Saturday if they lose in Hamilton, and the odds are stacked against them.
The Chiefs have won 10 of their last 13 against the Reds, including all three finals matches.
They have also won 10 of their last 12 finals at FMG Stadium Waikato, including every playoff game against Australian sides.
But Kiss, who is without the injured Hunter Paisami and Seru Uru, is upbeat about making the semi-finals.
"I think we can scare them, that's for sure," he said.
"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."
Kiss will take over from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt after the July Nations Championship matches against Ireland, France and Italy.
His first games in charge will be when Australia meet Japan in a two-Test series in early August.
He insisted his focus was still entirely on the Reds and the prospect of this week being his last match was not something on his mind.
"This team, they just keep you focused on the now," he said.
The Chiefs are boosted by the return of seven All Blacks, including flyhalf Damian McKenzie and captain Luke Jacobson in the back row.
"At the start of the year you want to get to this end of the season and be in contention and we've put ourselves in contention and now it's about focusing on what's in front of us," said McKenzie.
"The boys are really excited to rip in this weekend."
In the other playoff on Saturday, Canterbury Crusaders host the Auckland Blues at a sold-out One New Zealand Stadium.
The Crusaders have been forced into a front row reshuffle with Fletcher Newell and Seb Calder both out injured.
George Bower shifts from loosehead to tighthead prop, adding experience and versatility to a forward pack that will need to stand up in a physical contest.
The Blues are boosted by the return of captain Patrick Tuipulotu and hooker Bradley Slater.
"Finals rugby is where you find out a lot about yourselves as a group," said Blues coach Vern Cotter.
"We've worked hard to get here and now it's about embracing the challenge that comes with a high stakes game."
P. Duarte--JDB
