Wallabies coach Les Kiss is preparing his team for a monumental clash against the top-ranked Springboks, emphasizing a mindset of resilience and unpredictability. Despite Australia being ranked seventh globally compared to South Africa’s number one position, Kiss exudes confidence, drawing parallels to strategic breakthroughs in other fields to inspire his squad.
Facing a Rugby Superpower
The upcoming Test match against the formidable Springboks presents arguably the biggest challenge of Les Kiss’s tenure as Wallabies coach. South Africa, the reigning world champions and heavy favorites for a third consecutive World Cup title, enter the match on the back of an impressive winning streak, including victories over the All Blacks – a team Australia has not defeated since 2020. The stark contrast in rankings underscores the magnitude of the task ahead for the Australian team.
Kiss, known for his approachable demeanor in jeans and a baseball cap rather than the typical formal attire at Rugby Australia headquarters, acknowledges the strength of their opponents. “We have the Springboks in front of us next Sunday,” Kiss stated. “It’s a massive opportunity to challenge a fantastic team that is second to none in the world. An opportunity to challenge ourselves too. We won’t shy away; we’ll take it on. This 80 minutes will be a representation of where we’re at – and who we are.”
Inspiration from Unconventional Strategies
Kiss has been drawing inspiration from unconventional sources, including a documentary about “Move 32,” a pivotal strategic play that led an AI computer to defeat a world champion in the complex game of Go. This move famously defied traditional wisdom and human instinct, resulting in a historic upset. Kiss sees a parallel in this approach for his own team.
“When you’re not constrained by conventions, anything is possible isn’t it?” he mused. He referenced the legendary Australian player David Campese as an example of someone who embodied this unconventional, unconstrained, and unpredictable style, which he termed “the Wallaby Way.” Kiss believes that understanding the game’s nuances and sensing the right moment are key to unlocking such potential.
When questioned about whether the Wallabies had a similar game-changing strategy prepared, Kiss responded with a laugh, “Writing that wouldn’t help us, mate. It would make things much worse.” This suggests a focus on organic execution rather than revealing specific tactical blueprints.
Sources of Wallaby Confidence
Despite the daunting opposition, Kiss and the Wallabies have several reasons for optimism:
- Recent Unbeaten Run: The team has enjoyed an unbeaten four-Test run under Kiss’s leadership.
- Past Victory Over Springboks: Australia secured a memorable victory against the Springboks in Johannesburg last year, demonstrating their capability to overcome the formidable South Africans.
- Coach’s Insight into Erasmus: Kiss possesses intimate knowledge of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, having worked with the South African national team early in his career.
A Deep Understanding of the Opposition
Kiss’s coaching journey began in South Africa in 2001-02, where he served as a defense coach and learned the game through the lens of the Springboks. During this period, he first encountered Rassie Erasmus as a player. Their paths crossed again when Kiss was involved with the Irish national setup and Erasmus was at Munster. Kiss described Erasmus as a “very savvy operator” who approaches the game with a unique perspective and remains true to himself.
Kiss contrasted his own methodical, mathematical approach, drawing from experiences as a rugby league winger and even chess strategies, with Erasmus’s more maverick style. He noted Erasmus’s willingness to engage in media mind games, make surprise tactical changes, and employ gamesmanship, all of which have proven effective for the Springboks.
“What he’s done with the national side is pretty special,” Kiss acknowledged. “It’s taken a lot of time to build but he’s been backed, and he gets results when he needs them. Two World Cups in a row speaks to that. He’s also built unbelievable depth. Let’s face it: he’s got four first-XVs and has quality and talent three or four deep in every position.”
Building Depth and Resilience
The Wallabies, in contrast, are still building such depth, particularly hampered by injuries to key playmakers. Kiss has been focused on instilling a strong team culture and providing game time to a wider group of players. He has adopted strategies inspired by Erasmus’s playbook, such as tactical flexibility, empowering enforcers, and utilizing impactful replacements from the bench to foster depth and diversity within the squad.
The recall of former prodigy Jordan Petaia, who has had stints in the NFL and French club rugby, is intended to add pressure and competition, particularly with the exciting but sometimes inconsistently applied talent of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at outside centre.
Belief in the Unseen Fight
Kiss draws significant inspiration from the Wallabies’ remarkable comeback victory in Johannesburg last year. He highlighted the team’s unwavering belief and refusal to be beaten, even when trailing significantly early in the match. “The big thing in that game was that the Wallabies never looked beaten, even when the scoreline was not good [22-0 after 18 minutes],” Kiss recalled. “They kept coming. That belief and resilience is incredibly strong in this squad and it’s evolving every Test.”
Looking ahead to the next encounter, Kiss expressed a clear message to their opponents and observers: “We’ve got work to do but take your eye off us, we’ll come back and bite you.” This statement encapsulates the team’s determination to prove their mettle and fight for every moment on the field, regardless of pre-match expectations.
