Wallaby Hunter Paisami’s suspension inspires his best Queensland Reds form

After injury battles and a lack of game time contributed to his omission from Australia’s 2023 World Cup squad, Paisami has hit his prime under Kiss since the start of last season, regaining his Test jumper last year before suffering a calf injury on the eve of the Spring Tour.

With Kiss encouraging his players to trust their instincts and skill sets, the 26-year-old has blossomed into a three-pronged kicking, passing and running threat, making him a strong contender to line up against the British and Irish Lions.

Kiss has been heavily linked to the Wallabies’ coaching job once Joe Schmidt vacates the role this year, with Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh confirming it is open to exploring the prospect of Kiss juggling Super Rugby and national duties.

“If it’s Les, we all know what he can do and what he’s changed here … so [the Wallabies coaching role] would be awesome for him.”

Hunter Paisami

“That’s something we can’t control, we don’t know what’s happening in the background there,” Paisami said. “We haven’t heard much.

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“Hopefully [Kiss can keep doing his job here], or someone similar to Les can come in and take over here at the Reds. But we know if Les does leave us, he wouldn’t leave us like that, he would find someone to take over what him and his crew have been doing.”

While a decision on the next Test coach has dragged on, Kiss said it hadn’t distracted the Queensland group, despite consecutive losses heading into last week’s bye.

“It’s an impressive group of people in the building here, and in the locker room. They’ve just said, ‘let’s continue to work on what we’re about’,” Kiss said.

“I’m sleeping well, I’ve got no issues – it’ll take its course, and those timelines aren’t mine. I’m absolutely happy with how it’s going.

“My full commitment is in this building behind me, and into the 80 minutes on the rectangle on the weekend – that hasn’t wavered.”

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