Les Kiss hails Rory Best ahead of Ireland's clash against New Zealand
Rory Best is approaching the 100-cap mark for Ireland
©PA
Ulster rugby director Les Kiss lauded Ireland skipper Rory Best as he is set to lead his side against the formidable All Blacks in Chicago on Saturday.
Best, who made his Ireland debut against the same opponent at Lansdowne Road in November 2005 is just three games away from reaching 100 appearances and could very well achieve the milestone on 19th November when they take on New Zealand in a home Test.
Kiss, who was also the defence coach of Ireland for six years between 2009 and 2015, saw Best at close quarters and now continues his association with the 34-year-old at Ulster. The former Australia wing said Best deserves to be in the 100-Test club and lauded the resilience and fightback the hooker showed during his stellar career.
"To have passed 90 caps is special for the uncompromising way he plays the game, so to reach 100 caps would be some occasion too," Kiss told Press Association Sport.
"He's had his injuries in his time, but he's robust, resilient and just keeps coming, keeps working hard to improve each year.
"He's got all the qualities that you'd expect from someone capable of reaching 100 caps.
"I find him one of the toughest players who's ever been up there.
"We'd love to see him hit the 100-cap milestone in the autumn, because he'd be hugely deserving of that."
During the 2011 World Cup, Best sustained a shoulder injury during the group stage clash against Italy and looked out of contention for the quarter-final against Wales.
Recalling his experience with Best in the 2011 World Cup, Kiss said the determination and courage showed by Best to recover from the injury and play in Wellington against Wales was remarkable.
"At the 2011 World Cup I remember taking him for a very rigorous contact session the day before the game to prove his fitness," said Kiss, of Best's recovery for Ireland's eventual 22-10 defeat to the Welsh.
"At the beginning of the week he had no chance of making the game, but that day he just ripped into it, and he went out and played accordingly.
"And that type of mental toughness he has is one of the critical components that he offers all the time.
"As a leader he just demands that you turn up and aim up, and he can back it up.
"It's important that you can back it up when you say it, and he's one who can.
"You just look at what he does for any team he plays for, he's one of the most dogged, toughest guys you can play against.
"He's a leader by example, there's not always too many words, but when the words are there, they are strong, poignant and they mean something."
Ireland will play the All Blacks two times while they will also lock horns with Canada and Australia in their autumn internationals.
