Reds to honour stalwarts

 

Genia will join French club Stade Francais, while Horwill will join Harlequins at the completion of the season.

 

Reds' head coach Richard Graham says a win against the two-time champions from Waikato will be a fitting gift for the centurions.

 

"It is significant to honour those guys in the right way and that would be through how we perform on the weekend," Graham said. 

 

"In terms of those two guys, both have played over a hundred games. Both have captained the franchise and captained the Wallabies in that time also. 

 

"They leave a legacy, but they would be the first to say that this weekend is important and that we get a result. That would help them enjoy it and celebrate even more."

 

Reds captain James Slipper echoed his coach’s sentiments and believes the two players have set a standard for future Reds' players.

 

"They both played over a 100 games for their state and that is a remarkable achievement in any sport," said Slipper. 

 

"I think they definitely left the club in better hands from when they started. They both play with a lot of pride and it would be nice to send them out as winners this weekend."

 

With Horwill captaining the franchise for a number of years, Slipper said he benefited from the lock's experience in the team this year during his captaincy. 

 

"I have been lucky to be captain with James Horwill still at the cub. He has been a pretty good friend of mine and I played almost every game of my career with James behind me in the scrum. 

 

"It has been really great to learn off someone with so much experience and who is so well respected in Australia," said Slipper.

 

While the Queensland outfit have won two out of their last three games, including a 32-10 win against the Force in Perth in their last fixture, the Chiefs will be difficult team to knock over on Saturday.

 

"They clearly a very good side, they sit in the top six at the moment and they had some success in the last couple of seasons," said Graham. 

 

"Their contact work is very good and while they are the most penalised side at the defensive breakdown, I think it gives you insight into their minds at the tackle. 

 

"If you give them turnover ball or if you kick poorly, you going to be under some pressure. We understand that we need to be better, but in terms of building we won two out of our last three. On the back of that you develop some confidence and belief in what you doing."

 

The Reds have had a tough season with just four wins from their 14 matches played. However, Graham does not want to focus on what could have been, especially if he had the likes of Cooper and Genia fit and ready for most of that games.

 

"There is no point in thinking back of what could have been. The season's been what it has been. It is just about what we can get out of these last two games [against the Chiefs and Waratahs]. 

 

"I thought we set a really good platform the other night off a good strong set-piece and winning the collision and that obviously helped those two boys," Graham added.