Queensland Rugby announce 2024 Reds coaching staff

Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss has confirmed his coaching staff ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Kiss will work alongside former London Irish colleagues Brad Davis and Jonathan Fisher, Tonga assistant coach Zane Hilton and Reds Academy head coach Dale Roberson at Ballymore.

Overall it’s an experienced and cohesive coaching team at the Reds with all four aligned to Kiss having signed through 2026.

“We’re pleased to welcome Brad, Zane and Jonathan to the club,” said Kiss.

“It’s an integrated coaching group. All four bring great experience in their roles and while each has a technical lead, they will also work across different disciplines which will accelerate the process.

“Brad is a coach I’ve had the pleasure working alongside at London Irish. He delivered great results for our team and I’m sure he’ll do the same at Ballymore.

“With his coaching experience, Zane has great knowledge of all levels of the game in Queensland including both club and Super Rugby. It’s great to see him return to his home state armed with the lessons he’s learnt over the years.

“Jonathan is one of the best coaching talents in English Rugby and I’ve enjoyed working alongside him over the last four years. It’s exciting to have him on board at the Reds.

"I’m also looking forward to working closely with our Reds Academy head coach Dale Roberson. We’ve increased his scope and working alongside Paul Carozza, Dale’s expertise in the Academy will drive the connection and align the principles of the ‘Reds Way’ between the Academy and our senior Reds program.

“I’d like to acknowledge Jim McKay, Phil Blake, Mick Heenan and Kane Hames for their service to Queensland Rugby. All have left the Reds in a better place and will leave a lasting impact on our squad into the future.”

Like Kiss, Davis also played top-level rugby league, his playing career spanning more than 14-years and 200 games at several clubs in the United Kingdom.

Davis took to coaching in retirement, starting out at Bath Rugby in 2006. He remained at Bath for a decade, serving a number of roles including defence coach, specialist skills coach and as head of kicking strategy and attack.

Stints with Wasps and Ospreys in assistant coach roles followed, before Davis linked with Kiss at London Irish in 2019. Kiss and Davis led the club to fifth place in their most recent season, the Exiles’ highest finish since 2008.

Hilton will bring coaching experience and success at grassroots, Super Rugby and International level to the Reds in 2024.

Hilton began his coaching career as a Queensland Rugby Union Development Officer, before serving as Regional College Manager for the QRU where he identified and developed the next generation of Queensland Rugby talent.

The Brisbane product then coached Brothers to a Hospital Cup title in his first year in charge in 2009, Hilton coming to Crosby Park after stints as a skills coach with Italian side Benneton and as an assistant coach with the University of Queensland.

Hilton took his talents to Japan for four years after finishing with Brothers in 2011, serving as head coach of Kyuden Voltex Rugby and Canon Eagles Rugby.

Hilton returned to Australia in 2014 to take up a role as forward coach at the Melbourne Rebels, with a similar role with the Samoan national side following in 2017.

The next year saw him take the role of General Manager of High Performance at Samoan Rugby Union, before returning to Kyuden Voltex as head coach in 2019. He led the side to promotion to Division 2 of Japanese Rugby this season.

The 42-year-old is currently working alongside Queensland great Toutai Kefu as an assistant coach with Tonga at the Rugby World Cup.

Another former London Irish employee, Fisher joins the Reds staff after an accomplished playing career in the English Premiership.

After representing the England U20s team, the backrower played more than 100 games at London Irish, Bedford, Northampton and Bristol between 2007 and 2017, before transitioning into the coaching world.

Fisher took on a role with the renowned London Irish Academy working with the forwards, before moving to the Premiership side to serve as an assistant alongside Kiss.

Roberson’s current role as Reds Academy head coach has been enhanced under the new title of Reds Development coach.

Already boasting a strong resume with an emphasis on pathway development having coached Churchie's 1st XV, Queensland Reds U18s and assistant coach for Brothers Premier Grade side, Roberson will work closely with Kiss to drive closer connection with the Reds Academy and foster Queensland's best developing talent.

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) would like to thank assistant coaches Jim McKay, Phil Blake, Mick Heenan and Kane Hames for their contribution to the Reds during their time at Ballymore.

Queensland Rugby recognises each of their dedication to the club with Jim serving nine loyal years and 144 matches across two separate stints with Queensland, plus Phil, Mick and Kane for their service during the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The QRU wishes all four the very best for their future endeavours