Reds down wounded Cheetahs

Bloemfontein - Queensland Reds scrum-half and captain Will Genia inspired his team to a convincing 31-10 win over the Central Cheetahs in the Super 14 on Friday.

Genia gave a masterly performance on a field made soggy by a violent thunderstorm shortly before the match, dictating play in conjunction with fly-half Quade Cooper.

"It's a fantastic way to start the tour," said Genia after the first of three matches in South Africa for the Australian team.

"We created opportunities and capitalised on a few."

The Reds made far fewer errors than the home side, who were severely disrupted by injuries and the late withdrawal of captain and flank Juan Smith because of his father's illness.

The Cheetahs had to field a new loose forward trio and Genia took advantage, sniping around the edges of the forward exchanges.

Genia scored a try in the 12th minute and was a constant threat to the Cheetahs, who were strong in the tight phases but seldom put together any good movements.

The Reds only looked in danger when Cooper was given a yellow card for a deliberate trip after 25 minutes.

While he was off the field the Cheetahs scored their only try, through backrow Ashley Johnson.

It gave them a 10-8 lead but a burst of scoring by the Reds on either side of half-time put the visitors in control.

Cooper kicked a penalty soon after his return to give the Reds an 11-10 lead at half-time, kicked another three minutes after the restart and then converted a try by full-back Peter Hynes.

The Cheetahs were disappointed to have a try by Nico Breedt disallowed because of a marginal knock-on call just before the big lock picked up a loose ball and crashed over.

The Cheetahs found themselves chasing the game and four times opted not to kick at goal after being awarded penalties.

But the Reds defence held as three kicks were aimed at touch and one was tapped. The final attempt to find touch sailed beyond the try line, causing play to be taken back some 40 metres.

The Reds scored a third try a minute from the end, with Genia making a break to put centre Digby Ioane over to seal the win.

The Reds will play the Sharks and Lions in their remaining matches in South Africa.