The reunion of Quade Cooper and Will Genia in Melbourne has been a thrilling chapter for rugby fans to watch and few know of their danger to NSW than Waratahs lock Rob Simmons.
Simmons played alongside the pair in Queensland’s 2011 Super Rugby championship but now all three find themselves well south of Ballymore.
The 29-year-old said the two looked like they’d picked up where they left off in 2014 when they last played Super Rugby together.
“I know them very well and how lethal they can be,” he said.
“It looks like they're back on the page that they know so well.
“They're playing together very well, they've got a good combination, it's quite clear their communication between each other is very clear or black and white, there's no confusion between them, which rubs off on the rest of the team.
“The rest of the team know what their role is and I suppose that's why they're playing so well.”
Cooper and Genia have been key planks in the Rebels’ flat attacking approach that has put defensive sides on the back food for much of the season and Simmons said NSW would need to be on top of that.
“It puts the defensive team under pressure to make the right decisions,” he said.
“Those two guys you're speaking about, Will and Quade, can pick and misread something like that and if you crumble under pressure then they can put someone away and you're behind your goal posts.”
They have a strong case study to view as well after the Stormers dismantled the Melbourne attack last weekend.
“I think the Stormers did it well on the weekend,” he said.
“They shut down their front foot ball, they probably got a little bit outworked there and then they lost their way after that.
“So, I suppose if we can know what they're planning to do and shut that down then they have to go to something else.”
The Rebels’ forward pack poses a great threat as well and the clash will be a strong litmus test for Simmons up against incumbent Wallabies starter Adam Coleman.
NSW’s lineout has gone from strength to strength this season but they will have to reshuffle somewhat with Ned Hanigan missing from the lineup.
“I think he's (Coleman) been playing very well but as a group we've got to all stand up,” Simmons said.
“Their pack has been going quite well and it's a challenge for our pack to go out there and do a job.”
The Waratahs take on the Rebels on Saturday April 20, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
