Queensland Reds already hatching plans for Israel Folau - The Australian

Queensland Reds coach Ewen Mckenzie speaks about how his team's pre-season is coming together.

The Reds' Ewan McKenzie and James Horwill. Pictur: Annette Dew Source: The Courier-Mail

IN a cheeky dig, Queensland coaching boss Ewen McKenzie reckons the Reds are already well prepared for their early season Super Rugby clash against NSW at Suncorp Stadium, thanks to all the media coverage their arch-rivals have received.

But McKenzie was in no mood to make further headlines yesterday, opting to keep his opposition guessing about prized halfback Will Genia's comeback date. And he won't be rushing James Horwill into the pre-season to ensure his captain is fully fit for a "once in a career" year.

McKenzie will have a near full-strength squad at his disposal for the Reds' season opener against the Brumbies in Canberra on February 16, with Horwill (hamstring) "on track" to play.

However, McKenzie said the trials against the Blues in Toowoomba on February 2 and Super Rugby champions the Chiefs on the Sunshine Coast six days later were also aimed at preparing for their second-round clash with NSW.

Not that McKenzie believes he needs much more information on NSW, who receives a first-round bye.

The Waratahs have been in the media spotlight since the recruitment of code-hopper Israel Folau and new coach Michael Cheika, much to McKenzie's amusement.

"I have obviously been reading about the Tahs every day. They have been keeping us well informed, so we know well and truly what they are up to," a smiling McKenzie said.

On a more serious note, the Reds chief said he had already started planning ways to combat Folau.

"We have had some thoughts about that game already," he said.

"It will be interesting to see if he appears in their first official game. But you'd expect that they have an investment there and they want to use him - they will find a way."

McKenzie said Genia's recovery from a knee reconstruction seemed ahead of schedule but could not confirm when he would unleash the halfback.

He said the team's only major injury concern was Genia, whose worst-case scenario was reportedly a round-six return.

"I don't have a fixed date (for his return) but he has tracked very well," McKenzie said. "His rehab has been perfect ... possibly ahead of schedule."

Ben Lucas and Nick Frisby loom as halfback options in Genia's absence.

McKenzie was also buoyed by Horwill returning from a hamstring injury suffered in June.

"He (Horwill) is on track - we haven't rushed him. It's been methodical and very positive," he said.

Horwill said he wanted to play in the pre-season but would not push his progress after attempting - and failing - to do so ahead of the Wallabies' spring tour.

"We were probably pushing to get on the tour before they left but once that didn't work out there was no rush - we have really taken our time," Horwill said.

Especially with a British and Irish Lions tour on the horizon. "It's like a once-in-a-career type of year," Horwill said.

Meanwhile, the Western Force has ensured it won't run short of playmakers this season by signing New Zealander Sam Christie as a fourth option at five-eighth.

The 26-year-old Christie is a former NZ schoolboys representative who has had seven years with the Waikato provincial team.

He joins a list of five-eighths at the Force that includes former Cheetahs and Junior Springboks star Sias Ebersohn, former Wallaby Sam Norton-Knight and Australia under-20 representative Kyle Godwin.

AAP