Melbourne feel they’ve got the measure of Queensland Reds maestro Will Genia ahead of their Super Rugby clash on Friday.
In their round-three meeting in Brisbane, the Rebels almost the toppled the defending champions before losing 11-6, having kept the halfback in close check.
Rebels’ Welsh No.8 Gareth Delve said keeping Genia quiet at AAMI Park was the key to overcoming the Reds, who are clear second in the Australian conference and ninth overall.
Melbourne are currently fourth on the local ladder and out of the running for finals but they are looking to farewell their retiring skipper Stirling Mortlock with a win in his last home match.
“They’ve got some fantastic game-breakers and Will Genia is the glue that holds all that together,” Delve said.
“We’ll definitely have to keep a close eye on Will.
“You’ve got to have a special plan, he’s a fantastic player, never has a bad game so we’ve got to make sure he’s not as influential as usual.”
After Genia ran amok in the opening Test against Wales, the visitors had some success in game two and three in slowing down the supply of ball to the dynamic Wallabies halfback.
Delve didn’t play in the Tests but was part of the Welsh squad.
He felt that Melbourne did that well in their recent clashes with the Reds.
“We’ve had a decent bit of success against Will,” Delve said.
“In the last two matches he hasn’t been quite so influential but you have to have special plans to limit his time on the ball and bring people into the game.”
Delve, who recently agreed to another year in Melbourne, said another Rebels’ signing for 2013, imposing Queensland backrower Scott Higginbotham, would also be a big factor on Friday night.
“Scott’s been performing really well on the international stage and I’m looking forward to playing alongside him next season because I think he adds a hell of a lot,” Delve said.
“He’s a massive factor for the Reds … until he’s in Rebels colours we won’t be giving Scott a warm welcome on Friday night.”
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