Eddie Jones: Will Genia, Quade Cooper the reason Reds will topple Waratahs

A FIVE-POINT Reds win may flatten NSW spirits but the 60-point spectacle I’m also predicting is just what rugby needs.

Quade Cooper in action for the Reds.

A FIVE-POINT Queensland victory may flatten NSW spirits but the 60-point spectacle I’m also predicting is just what rugby needs on this big stage.

News_Image_File: Will Genia is a key for the Reds.

Two well-coached sides both fancy ball-in-hand tactics and on this score I expect the Reds to dominate through Quade Cooper and Will Genia. No disrespect to Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps, the NSW halves, but they are just good, honest players who lack the creativity of the dynamic duo.

The Waratahs were pretty good last week in beating the Western Force 43-21 on the back of Israel Folau’s influence.

The Force game plan was to pump high balls at fullback Folau, let him catch them and then tackle him.

The Force won a turnover and three points from the tactic once in the second half but the rest of time they gave big ‘‘Izzy’’ way too much room so his kick returns were telling.

I would imagine Cooper will kick when his team is organised on the front foot and his active defenders will be far more switched on and effective than the Force boys.

The Waratahs have a massive pack. The Reds’ smaller, high-workrate forward unit will fancy it can cover more ground for longer in a decisive running game.

Cooper and Genia were on song in the strong win over the ACT Brumbies a week ago.

Cooper reminded me of rugby league’s ‘‘Cliffy’’ Lyons with the way he floated across the line sizing up a defender to make a mistake.

I liked the Reds’ courage to play that triple cut-out pass from Cooper to a flying Aidan Toua. It capitalised on a total misread by Brumbies winger Henry Speight.

Border-jumper Lachie Turner looks like good a pick-up. He is strong, fast and has a good workrate which suits Reds coach Richard Graham.

News_Rich_Media: Israel Folau couldn't have asked for a better start to the Super Rugby season but his increasing stature in the code will face a tougher test this weekend, The Waratahs host the the Reds. Alana Smith sat down with the star fullback.

NSW coach Michael Cheika relishes the emotion of these interstate clashes so expect the Tahs to be right up for this.

Lock Jacques Potgieter, their South African recruit, is physical but inaccurate. Beware, he may want a piece of Genia.

I remember playing for NSW against Queensland in 1990 after we had won all our South Pacific Championship games to that point.

Michael Lynagh bombed David Knox with high balls. The call from Queensland was simple and direct for Anthony Herbert to smash him every time.

“Herbie’’ did and we were beaten easily. The best Reds sides come prepared.