Reds wary of Cheetahs' bullies

Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia believes the Cheetahs will use the same 'bullying tactics' as the Bulls, when they meet the Bloemfontein outfit on Saturday.

The Reds, despite playing well in patches in the second half, suffered a humbling 22-43 loss to a rampaging Bulls team last week.

Stuck at the bottom of the standings - with just a Round Two win over fellow strugglers the Western Force - the Reds will hope to snap a six-match losing streak against the Cheetahs.

However, Genia admitted they will face an upbeat Cheetahs side, who defeated the Force 24-14 in Perth last weekend.

"They will be very tough," Genia told a media briefing at the team's training base in Johannesburg.

"Last time we played them [the Cheetahs] we had a disappointing result [a 33-43 defeat].

"They are coming off a very good win against the Western Force," Genia added.

However, it is the Cheetahs' style of play, rather than recent form, that pose the biggest threat to the Australian outfit.

"They'll come at us in a very similar way the Bulls did, with high balls, while they will try and bully us as far as their big boys are - trying to get them into the game," the veteran scrumhalf said.

"We just need to make sure we front up and need to minimise the errors, as far as drop ball and turning over possession."

Genia said they will be able to turn their season around if they are more consistent.

"We are playing good rugby in patches," he said, adding: "We have to start putting it together for longer periods and if we can do that we will come away with the result [a win].

"I definitely think we are building - the group is buying into how we want to play, we just have to clean up the errors."

The Reds welcome back former Wallaby captain James Horwill to the side, having served a one-match suspension for striking an opponent in their clash against the Rebels a fortnight ago.

Genia said the addition of Horwill to the team will be a huge boost for the Queenslanders.  

"It's great to have James come back into the fold.

"Just his presence. Obviously he captained the team and he was there when we won the competition in 2011 as the leader of this side.

"The knowledge and experience he'll bring come game-time will definitely benefit the group," Genia said.

In what could be another huge lift for the Reds, Genia said utility back James O'Connor looks to have overcome a calf injury, and is ready to return to the depleted Reds backline.  

"James will add an enormous amount to the group. He adds plenty of flair, X-factor, a lot of talent and the ability to beat defenders one-on-one, create space for other players," he said.