Les Kiss insists his Queensland Reds can "scare" the Chiefs as they prepare to return to the scene of some of the most painful afternoons of his coaching tenure for a Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final in Hamilton.
The Reds travel to FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday for their fifth consecutive finals appearance, but the history weighing on them is stark. Australian teams have lost all 21 Super Rugby finals they have played in New Zealand, and the Reds themselves have been blown away at this very ground under Kiss, beaten 28-0 by the Chiefs and 27-0 by the Crusaders on previous visits.
Asked about that record, Kiss did not shy away from it.
"Thanks for the trauma," he remarked wryly, before insisting his side is a different animal now. "But we're a team now that handles those things a lot better."
The challenge could hardly be steeper. The Chiefs have recalled seven All Blacks for the clash, including the mercurial Damian McKenzie, and field a side in which 10 of the starting 15 and half the bench carry international experience. They have also won 10 of their last 13 meetings with the Reds. Yet Kiss believes the gap is closing.
"We can scare them, that's for sure. It's got the makings of a classic contest," he said.
"It's a big game for them as well, don't forget. They don't want to be a team that loses at home."
The Reds head north without two key forwards, with Hunter Paisami (knee) and Seru Uru (back) sidelined. Kiss has reshuffled accordingly, moving Filipo Daugunu into the centres, drafting Joe Brial into the back row, handing Josh Nasser the hooking duties and restoring Jock Campbell at fullback.
For all the obstacles, Kiss is adamant the mindset within his squad has shifted from previous years, when heavy defeats on New Zealand soil felt almost preordained.
"These boys are hungry for a win and want to take another step forward," he said.
"We've got a plan, got belief, got confidence, let's go do it."
The veteran coach, who will take charge of the Wallabies later this year, was clear about the only thing that will satisfy him in Hamilton.
"The 'W' is the big thing in sport and that's the true measure of success in a lot of ways," he said. "That's the mission. We've got to stand up and then let's see."
A win would not only end Australia's miserable finals record across the Tasman but provide the Reds with arguably their most significant scalp of the Kiss era. Defeat, against a Chiefs side stacked with Test-match firepower, would extend a chastening pattern. Either way, Kiss is intent on his side making the Chiefs earn it.
