Reds pack stands up to help Will Genia storm back into form ahead of Wallabies series

THE real Will Genia has re-emerged but it took the Reds pack to stand up for his Test spot against France to be secured.

THE real Will Genia has re-emerged but it took the Reds pack to stand up for his Test spot against France to be secured.

How lame the Reds have been for six weeks was only highlighted by how good they were for sustained periods when they scalped the Highlanders 38-31 on Friday night.

Sound ball control was back, pressure melted the Kiwis at key times, scrambling defence saved them and, finally, when five try chances were offered, all were grabbed.

Most of all, there was authority up front.

Prop James Slipper monstered another scrum when the Reds’ eight demolished the Highlanders for a key pushover try when the visitors were gaining momentum.

Will Genia and Ben Lucas celebrate the Reds’ win.

In that last, incredible 18-phase surge after the full-time hooter had sounded, matchwinner Jake Schatz and leg-pumping replacement prop Albert Anae both had three key pick-and-go rushes.

Schatz, Rob Simmons and James Horwill stole lineout throws in the first half and strong drive at the breakdown finally gave halfback Genia a front-foot platform.

“I thought Willy demonstrated why he’s been regarded as the best halfback in the world,’’ Reds coach Richard Graham said.

“The way that he controlled the game around the ruck and so forth was very, very good.’’

Genia ran again. Fox Sports Stats marked him down for five runs but there were many more occasions where he took a strong stride or two to get plays rolling for his supports.

He broke tackles, his short kicks set up two tries and his territory-gaining kicks totalled more than 600m.

It was a resounding display to keep his No. 9 jersey ahead of Brumby Nic White for Saturday night’s Test against France at Suncorp Stadium.

The emotion that flooded from every Reds player in the commotion after the Schatz try was a release after the angst of losing six games in a row.

“There’s no hiding it. We were down on confidence,” skipper Horwill said.

“You can’t teach confidence. It comes from doing things like that last big play and you saw the emotion from everyone at the result. It’s been a while but it’s a good feeling.”

It is a welcome tonic heading into a month-long break before Super Rugby resumes with a payback mission against the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne on June 27.

Originally published as Reds pack stands up to help Will Genia storm back into form ahead of Wallabies series