Will Genia more pass master than running gun but Richard Graham happy with his form

REDS halfback Will Genia’s running game looks to have dried up yet coach Richard Graham remains unperturbed.

Will Genia’s running game is non-existent but coach Richard Graham says he’s just being selective.

WILL Genia’s running game has dried up yet Reds coach Richard Graham is unperturbed because he knows the sizzle will be there when needed in Durban.

The halfback who sealed the 2011 Super Rugby final with a superb solo try over 65m has not made a single dart in his past two Reds outings.

The unexpected readout “0 runs 0 metres” is what Fox Sports Stats has recorded for Genia against both the NSW Waratahs and the Cheetahs.

His ordinary game against NSW was behind a badly beaten pack but he was all passing slickness against the Cheetahs.

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The Reds play Jake White’s table-topping Sharks on Sunday morning (Qld time) in humid Durban where they are chasing their first victory since 2004.

Graham insisted Genia’s running game had not disappeared and that the halfback was merely being selective.

“I thought Will managed the game against the Cheetahs really well,” Graham said of the halfback’s role in the 43-33 win last Friday night.

“He gave ball to our runners early with a head of steam up to give us the go-forward we needed.

“Having a snipe is all about picking the right moment and Will is one of the best in the business at that.

News_Image_File: Genia retrieves the ball from a maul and fires a pass to spark another attack for the Reds.

“I have absolutely no doubt that if the moment is there in Durban, he will be off and running.”

The “0 metres” stat didn’t measure Genia’s first quick steps either side of the ruck to organise play or his sharp quick-tap to ignite Chris Feauai-Sautia’s first try.

The Reds need to be wary themselves of new Sharks halfback Cobus Reinach.

The swift, sidestepping dynamo on Sunday beat four Lions defenders for his try from the tail of a messy lineout in his unbeaten team’s 37-23 win.

In their three games, the Reds have produced flashes of top-class footy plus intercept, charge-down and defensive bloopers.

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The rousing defence against the ACT Brumbies, sharp lineout work, several striking backline tries and the rumbling James Hanson try involving four forwards against the Cheetahs have all been excellent.

All those strong pieces have to be stitched together to win in the Shark Tank because this will be a true measure of the team’s legitimacy as a title hope.

“How we go can set the tone for our season. You can tell with the excitement amongst the boys,” flanker Liam Gill said.

Whether winger Lachie Turner is considered for selection depends on his troublesome left knee behaving or swelling up after the long flight.

The strong showing of Rod Davies against the Cheetahs means he will retain one wing spot no matter what.