Reds plan on using chopping tackles in giant-sized task to stop Waratahs lock Will Skelton

CHOPPING down 135kg goliath Will Skelton is a major tactic in the Reds plan to scuttle the monster pack of the Waratahs

The Reds will be hoping Will Skelton will be all at sea when they play the Tahs on Saturday night.

CHOPPING down 135kg goliath Will Skelton is a major tactic in the clear Reds plan to scuttle the monster pack of the NSW Waratahs.

News_Image_File: The towering Will Skelton near where the Waratahs train at Moore Park.

Reds coach Richard Graham revved up the feeling for Saturday night’s big interstate showdown in Sydney by openly targeting the youngest member of the NSW pack.

At a roof-scraping 2.03m, rugby’s Willie is even bigger than rugby league namesake Willie Mason, who is a petite 1.96m and 121kg by comparison.

News_Image_File: Rugby league’s Willie. Mr Mason, who plays for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL.

Lock Skelton, a great find for Australian rugby at just 21, can still be chopped down to size.

His powerful centre field surges and off-loads are a valuable momentum-starter for the Waratahs but the young giant is only a 60-minute man.

“His improvement in just a year has been marked,” Graham said.

“As was evident in the first Waratahs game, he’s got a limit on the time he can play in a game and our job is to limit it further.”

The clear inference is that the Reds’ fleet of ankle-choppers will be buzzsawing in defence to send him crashing to the turf as often as possible.

Flanker Liam Gill’s super low tackle to force a turnover from Brumby Leon Power in the tense final minutes was typical of the Reds accent in Canberra last weekend.

News_Image_File: Skelton during the Waratahs team recovery session at Clovelly beach.

“Will Skelton runs hard but if you are chopping legs, it gets harder and harder each time to get up off the ground to make an impact,” Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper said.

Tiring Skelton, who missed five tackles against the Western Force, makes him a prime target for Cooper and Will Genia to exploit when the Reds attack.

No one in the Reds smaller pack is daunted by the Waratahs’ significant 47kg size advantage up front where 116kg No.8 Wycliff Palu is so influential as a rumbling ball-runner.

Graham deflected the same size hype in the backs where Israel Folau’s hat-trick start emphasised the danger his athletic 100kg-plus frame poses.

News_Rich_Media: Israel Folau has underlined his value to the Waratahs and Australian Rugby as he scored three tries in New South Wales opening round 43-21 win over the Force.

“It’s not a ‘back three v Folau’ match-up. It’s a ‘team v Folau’ focus on identifying where he is and limiting his chances,” Graham stressed.

With Cooper and Genia doing most of the Reds kicking, there is no chance of falling into the trap of hoofing ball down Folau’s throat.

“We won’t kick contestable kicks to Israel because we know he’s going to catch them 99 per cent of the time,” said Genia, who will be looking for open space.

Halfback Genia admitted he was surprised at Folau’s progress in rugby in just 13 months. He expected him to be good but not this good.

News_Rich_Media: Stephen Larkham and the ACT Brumbies unable to start their Super Rugby campaigns with a win in Canberra against the Queensland Reds.

“I honestly didn’t think he was going to be as good as he is,” Genia said.

“It’s incredible how quickly he’s picked up the game … and I think he can better because he’s got that remarkable thirst to want to be better.”

Cooper’s playmaking and the Reds’ efficient breakdown work can throw the Waratahs on their heels after the front-foot ride they enjoyed against the Western Force.

Reds winger Lachie Turner has fluid around his knee but is expected to be fit to face the Waratahs.