Force wary of Reds halves
Western Force will target Wallabies Will Genia and Quade Cooper with the frustration formula that has brought past success against Queensland in tonight’s Super Rugby clash at nib Stadium.
The back row, led by captain Matt Hodgson, will hound scrum-half Genia to try to restrict his supply to Cooper, who will be confronted by an aggressive defence.
The tactic worked so well in previous meetings that Genia accused Hodgson of using underhand tactics.
Force coach Michael Foley warned his defence would need to work overtime against a Reds side which has Cooper and big-name signings James O’Connor and Karmichael Hunt together for the first time this year.
“When you’re talking about talented players you always have a plan about how you’re going to shut them down,” Foley said.
“The best way to do that is to operate more intensely within the system you have. When a team gets momentum and you’ve got players like Genia and Cooper and any of the other players out wide, they are going to cut you up. Stopping that momentum is very important.
“If you’re not getting off the line, if you give them time, they can easily get on the outside of you.
“Create space and time for Will and Quade and the outside backs to operate in, and that’s where they are really dangerous.”
Foley described Cooper, who has played just two games this year, as one of the best fly-halves in the world. “At his best he can be incredible,” he said.
“If we give him time and space early, he’ll build into his game. If we can be accurate and disciplined in our defence we build pressure and make him feel a little less comfortable.
“There’s no point being frantic and giving away silly penalties.”
Reds coach Richard Graham is ready for the Force frustration tactics.
“I’m expecting what has worked,” Graham said.
“All of us go back to what has been successful and how you can implement that and that’s something we’ve spoken about.
“The nine and 10 have a huge influence on the outcome of the game. Being able to bring Quade back, you bring a quality No.10 into the side and he has a combination with Will.
“He sees the game a number of phases ahead which allows him to manipulate defensive lines.”
The Force have re-signed Ian Prior and Ryan Louwrens for the next two seasons.
The Brumbies kept their hopes of a finals berth alive after beating the Bulls 22-16 at home last night. Crusaders upstaged top team Hurricanes in Nelson 35-18.
