Genia plan out of bottle
Former Force coach Nick Stiles may rue the day he devised the plan that riled Queensland scrum-half Will Genia in the club's two meetings last season.
Force coach Michael Foley revealed it was his former assistant Stiles, now with the Reds, who schemed to take Genia out of the game by constantly hounding him in the Force's upset 19-12 win at Suncorp Stadium - their first ever in Brisbane - and 11-all draw in the return fixture.
They slowed Genia's service and their rush defence did the rest until frustration boiled over in the nib Stadium match and he tried wrestling Matt Hodgson.
Genia then accused the Force of using underhand tactics.
"… tackling you late, holding you off the ball, grabbing you and pulling you away from the rucks - all sorts of things," Genia said.
SANZAR have cracked down on playing the scrum-half without the ball but it is possible the Force could use elements of Stiles' plan against the Reds.
Foley played down that possibility, saying things had changed.
He also politely suggested that the referee might like to keep an eye on what happens to his own scrum-half, Alby Mathewson.
"What happened last year happened last year and there were some unique insights from Stilesy," Foley said.
"It was a tactic that Stilesy thought we should implement against Will but Stilesy is not with us any more. He's with the Reds so hopefully they don't try and tackle Alby late.
"We've got a defensive system that is working well. We have to stick to that system.
"We have to acknowledge the threat of Will, Quade (Cooper), Ben Tapuai and a number of good players but we can't break from our system and try to chase down one player."
The Force are looking for a record fourth straight win but the Reds are firm favourites. Force forwards Hugh McMeniman and Chris Alcock are injured but Wallabies No.8 Ben McCalman returns from suspension.
"It is fantastic for us and we're very fortunate in the quality we have but this game is going to be a real challenge," Foley said.
"Our guys are out to disprove the favouritism. The Reds developed a culture under (former coach) Ewen (McKenzie).
"They have won a championship. It's important to remember that a lot of guys in their side have won a championship."
·WA's under-17 side plays Victoria in the inaugural ARU Junior Gold Cup at McGillivray Oval today at 11am. The under-20 side has won the Southern States tournament and Luke Burton, Ross Haylett-Petty, Brad Lacy and Harry Scoble have made the Australian under-20 squad.
