Re-signed Reds star Will Genia says former halfback rival Ben Lucas’s emergence as a playmaker has Queensland’s attack clicking back into gear for Sunday’s Super Rugby final rematch.
While the defending champions are $5 underdogs against the Crusaders in Christchurch, Genia believes the Reds have turned the corner and is confident they can enjoy rare back-to-back wins in New Zealand.
The Wallabies halfback enjoyed his best game of the season in a man-of-the-match display in the last-start 23-11 win over the Blues in Auckland.
But Genia, who Monday reversed his decision to join the Western Force in 2013, said utility back Lucas’s return from a hamstring injury had done much to spark Queensland’s previously struggling backline.
A Wallabies tourist late last year, Lucas made his comeback along with fellow playmaker Mike Harris a fortnight ago in the 23-13 loss to the Stormers.
Quade Cooper remains at least another week away from returning from his knee reconstruction but Genia, who competed with Lucas for the No.9 jersey in 2008-09, said the injury-cursed start to 2012 was now history.
“There were good signs against the Stormers and then some even more positive signs in the Blues game,” the Queensland vice-captain told AAP.
“Having Benny Lucas at 10 is great for the group. He’s an attacking sort of player and he likes to take the ball to the line and really back himself.
“And then you have Mikey at 12 who is a really strong ball carrier and good low defender.
“That combination is working well for us and having Anthony (Faingaa) back at 13 is huge – he makes a massive amount of difference to the group.”
Back from a foot injury, Faingaa will mark red-hot Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean at Rugby League Park, while Digby Ioane returns to the wing for his second game back from suspension.
The Crusaders will continue to ease All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw back from his foot problem off the bench with Matt Todd again selected at openside flanker on Friday.
Jet-shoed winger Sean Maitland is set to line up opposite Ioane after so long as he passes a late fitness test.
Genia scored the match-winning try in last year’s decider and knows the Crusaders will be hungry for revenge.
“They will want to repay the faith of their fans given the tough past few years there,” he said.
In further good news for Queensland’s retention efforts, Wallabies back-rower Scott Higginbotham is set to stay at Ballymore after agreeing to terms with the Reds.
