“I think the plan, and the intention from everyone, is to make sure we make it attractive enough for Jordie to stay.

“I think Jordie would love to stay, and there are some games against the [British and Irish] Lions into a third World Cup. I think he’d really like to do that. I think everyone’s doing their best to make sure that can happen, that’s for sure.”

To better manage his side for the rigours of the season and expose his men to different game circumstances, Kiss has also swapped Wallabies prop Zane Nonggorr to the bench with former All Black Jeffery Toomaga-Allen.

The axing of teenage five-eighth Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, who makes way for the more versatile Lawson Creighton, might surprise some.

The 19-year-old has brought energy with his running game off the bench, with his try assist and final play goal-line tackle against the Chiefs sealing a victory and earning him a maiden start in the win over the Rebels.

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But Kiss said the ability of Creighton to cover inside centre as well as play at No.10, along with a desire to work more closely on finer details of McLaughlin-Phillips’ game, was behind the decision.

“I think from Harry’s perspective, it’s a massive experience that he’s had turning up off the bench – and we gave him one start,” Kiss said.

“His first touch in Super Rugby has been very positive, and he will feature again – no doubt about it – but I think it was just an ideal time for Lawson to have a chance off the bench.

“Harry will have a break for a couple of weeks and be back in the picture before you know it. Every bit of experience Harry gets this year is going to be invaluable.

“There are some areas we can work on in his game. There’s also a chance to move into a little bit of development.

“He’s still at a training age, so we can work him a little bit harder in his physical capacities over the next couple of weeks before he comes back into consideration.”