Defence coach on a mission to go forward

INTERVIEW IRELAND DEFENCE COACH: John O'Sullivantalks to the new Ireland defence coach, Australian Les Kiss, as the team prepares for the autumn internationals later this month

THE NAME Les Kiss may be only worth a modest 11 points in scrabble but his value to the Ireland rugby team is likely to be calculated at a much higher premium if the national side's new defence coach continues to deliver on an impressive curriculum vitae.

Referencing the popular board game offers a snapshot of the Australian's interests away from rugby that also incorporates chess, poker, golf, the gym and a relaxing glass of red wine but it is in his professional capacity that he will aim to positively impact on his newly-acquired status in Irish rugby. His coaching career to date suggests he will accomplish that goal.

A former Australian rugby league international wing, he was a member of the undefeated 1986 Kangaroos team that toured Britain and France.

He played 100 first grade matches for the North Sydney Bears in Australia's NRL (1986-1993) and four State of Origin matches for Queensland before taking up a coaching contract with the London Broncos (now Harlequins) in Britain's Super League.

His successful transition from league to union came in 2001 when he was recruited by the then South Africa coach Harry Viljoen. Kiss' input was instrumental in the Springboks conceding just 11 tries in as many Test matches that year, including winning the Tri-Nations Championship. His remit was expanded the following year to provide defence coaching to three South African Super 12 teams, the Bulls, the Cats and the Stormers.

In 2003 he returned to Australia, taking up the defence coach duties alongside former World Cup-winning Wallaby coach Bob Dwyer at the New South Wales Waratahs. During six seasons the Waratahs had consistently the best defence record in the Super 14 tournament, reaching the finals of 2005 and this year and the semi-final in 2006.

He was assistant coach to the Australian Under-21 team (2003) and also fulfilled the same role with Australia A (2003-2007) while also twice coaching in Japan in the off-season. Dwyer said of Kiss: "Les works easily, in a relaxed but authoritative manner. He has excellent man management skills and work ethic. His ability to present his thought process to players is equally excellent. At the same time, he is an excellent listener, a great team learner and thirsty for additional knowledge. He contributes in a frank, positive and constructive manner in the team environment of the coaching group."

Earlier this year Kiss vied with Chris Hickey for the vacant position of head coach to the Waratahs. The latter was chosen, facilitating the journey undertaken by Ireland coach Declan Kidney and team manager Paul McNaughton to Sydney during the summer tour to persuade Kiss that his future lay in the Northern Hemisphere.

Fellow Aussie and current Leinster scrumhalf Chris Whitaker took a phone call from the 43-year-old during which he urged Kiss to accept the Irish offer. It wasn't simply about money for Ireland's new defence coach. He said at the time: "It's certainly an attractive offer, but it's not the reason I did the move. I wanted to expand my rugby experience and profile, and I think Europe will do that. Your ambition is always to go forward with your career."

Since arriving in Ireland Kiss has toured the provinces to familiarise himself with the various set-ups and has been a keen spectator for Magners League and Heineken Cup matches. This week in Limerick the hands-on role part of his remit has begun in earnest, working in the lengthening shadow of the three-match November Test series.

His experiences to date have been positive, noting similarities between Ireland and Australia that include the competition between sports for the hearts and minds of the young. In terms of attitude he has found the Irish squad to be every bit as ambitious as any group with which he has previously worked.

"I haven't spoken to any player about this but I sense they (the squad) believe number eight (in the world rankings) is not where they belong. They want to be in a position to be considered world class. They want to be in the top four and take it from there."

So is there a Les Kiss doctrine of defence? "I didn't come in with an idea of this is the way it has to be done, but I wouldn't call it a blank sheet because there are so many generic factors (to defence systems). There is also the nature of working closely with the provincial set-ups. It's fantastic for me to get around, get to know them; it's the same for Gert (Smal) and the other coaches.

"It gives you some threads straight away. You want to be able to dovetail rather than have a completely different process at national level, complement what's going on and add tactical details. I have brought a little bit from my experience elsewhere based on what I have seen there but it's (the system Ireland will use) got Irish colour to it. It's not just a Les Kiss thing; there is a blend in there.

"Defence can reflect the mindset that you have. It can reflect a lot of things relating to how you exist as a footie team. That's important for the players to understand and I think they do. To stand on a footie field, turn up and aim up in that physical contest that you regularly have in defence can define a team in a lot of ways.

"It's not the only thing. I'm big on the fact that each component of the game has a close link to each other rather than be viewed as separate entities. I like to think the defence serves (the team) the rest of the game."

Kidney empowers his players to problem solve on the pitch, make decisions based on a heads-up philosophy. Kiss advocates the same mantra. "There is a danger to regard defence as totally systemised and if one thing breaks down, it's gone. I don't believe in that. I also don't think it is about systems.

"Defence is as much a breathing animal as the rest of the game areas. There are decisions to be made. It's not just this passive thing of turning up in a line.

"This is still an area, without the ball, to have an influence on the game; to have a profound effect on how the game is to be played. I don't need guys who can just turn up in the line and be disciplined. That's vital but I want people who can feel the game, make decisions to put pressure on the opposition.

"It's about good decision makers in defence, guys who can feel the game as you do in attack. Trust exists in all areas of the game but it probably stands out most in defence. It's vital: trust in yourself, your team-mates, the team and the system. If you do that you are going to get there most of the time.

"Defence is not about being perfect. When it's not perfect, going pear shaped, that's where we will be really defined. That's where we will find the good decision makers, guys who have the will to dig in for each other and cover each others a***s."

The first proving ground will be when Ireland host Canada at Thomond Park this day week. Until then his days will be filled with training ground co-ordination and repetition that he will look to be transferred to the Test arena. There won't be much latitude for perusing the newspapers in his local Donnybrook coffee house, a favoured down-time.

Or scrabble. Being able to use all seven tiles in one go earns a bonus 50 points: for Kiss and Ireland "DEFENCE" would provide a good opening gambit.