Super Rugby
Richard Graham wary of rookie scrum-half
ESPN Staff
March 15, 2014
Bismark du Plessis and Cobus Reinach are two players the Reds will be watching out for © Getty Images
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Rookie Sharks scrum-half Cobus Reinach may be the most unknown player to the Reds, but he was the first threat the Reds dissected ahead of their game on Sunday, Reds coach Richard Graham told News Ltd. One of the top ball runners in Super Rugby, Reinach (10) is bettered by only Aiden Toua (12) and two other players to have beaten more defenders.

"We made a point of discussing Reinach, his speed and his footwork, at the start of the week because we knew nothing about him," Graham said. "The Sharks have world-class players like Bismarck du Plessis but you have to keep an eye on a halfback who can capitalise on a chance in an instant."

Reinach has the ability to do just that as demonstrated against the Lions last week, beating four defenders with a 30m try from the back of a lineout.

The Reds will have plenty to watch out for when they take on Jake White's pack, with the introduction of new centre Sibusiso Sithole and the arrival of Springbok JP Pietersen from Japan, but Richard Graham believes the Reds will need to unscramble the Sharks lineout and disrupt Bismark du Plessis to affect the Sharks game.

"Bismarck is abrasive and tries to impose himself mentally on opponents," Graham said. "If you don't allow him rhythm at the lineout and things don't go well for him there, maybe you can get at Bismarck."

Quade Cooper added that the Reds will be ready to attack the top team. "The Sharks are arguably the best team in the comp at the moment. Our mindset isn't about competing, it's about winning this," Cooper said. "You have to make victories away from home for headway up the table."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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