Will Genia motivated for interstate clash by heartache of 2010 loss to the NSW Waratahs

WILL Genia remembers February 13, 2010 as the night that triggered a Reds obsession. The memory of Cliffy Palu rumbling over still burns.

Israel Folau of the Waratahs and Will Genia of the Queensland Reds at the Super Rugby season 2014 Launch at South Maroubra Surf Club, Sydney. pic Mark Evans

WILL Genia remembers February 13, 2010 as the night that triggered a Reds obsession.

It was not just beating NSW but also keeping the boot on the throat when they did.

For 79 minutes that night at Suncorp Stadium the Queenslanders breathed the passion and performance of a new era.

The curse of poor composure tripped them at the death when bullocking NSW No.8 Wycliff Palu crashed over for a 30-28 escape.

It was a fifth straight loss to NSW for the Reds and young halves Genia and Quade Cooper must have wondered if the blue tide could ever be turned.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.

“That was heartbreak because for much of that game we felt we had it in the bag,’’ Genia said.

“To have Cliffy take it away from us was one of the hardest losses I’ve felt with the Reds.

“That was an important moment because it’s something I think about to give me motivation going into these games.

“Now we are having success over NSW you don’t want that feeling to stop. You think back to how much it hurt and the struggles we had against them.

“Winning has been a pretty special feeling and you do what it takes for it to continue. It’s no-love lost on these nights.’’

As a Steve Waugh fan, Genia needs no reminding that the Test cricket great’s insatiable appetite for wins was built from serial beatings in the mid-1980s.News_Rich_Media: Reds coach Richard Graham has been forced to make a change to his team to face the Waratahs, with Mike Harris ruled out due to an ankle injury.

Composure is now the golden thread to the Reds on interstate night and needs to be again on Saturday night in Sydney.

The stirring defensive display to hold out NSW in Brisbane in 2011, the late Dom Shipperley escape in Sydney in 2012 … both were forged by calmness under the pump.

Much is being made of Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale as the Waratahs dangermen on Saturday night.

The Reds need to fear 116kg Palu and his thundering go-forward from No. 8.

Size does matter in footy but Reds coach Richard Graham swats away the notion it will be the difference.

Composure, discipline under fire and sticking to defensive principles are not as sexy as a 50m try but these assets win interstate derbys.

Just ask Will Genia. Five wins in a row over NSW and still hungry for more.