MacKay on Red alert

Reds coach Phil Mooney has targeted fly-half Lachlan MacKay as the weakest link in the Western Force backline, as his side go in search for their first derby Super 14 win in two years.

Reds coach Phil Mooney has targeted fly-half Lachlan MacKay as the weakest link in the Western Force backline, as his side go in search for their first derby Super 14 win in two years.

The Force tackle the Reds in Brisbane on Friday without regular pivot Matt Giteau (neck injury) and Mooney is looking to capitalise.

Although the Wallaby playmaker looked in sensational physical shape at training, it is his cognitive function that Western Force coach John Mitchell is keen to protect following Giteau's third significant head knock of the season against the Waratahs last weekend.

“I'm sure they will miss him (Giteau),” Mooney told AAP.

“MacKay certainly hasn't got the kicking and passing game that Matt Giteau has got, nor the running game.”

Giteau played just a quarter of the Force's 17-12 loss to Waratahs in Round Nine, which pitch-forked MacKay into the fray.

MacKay, troubled by injuries for much of his career, has played just 18 Super Rugby matches since debuting for the Waratahs in 2004.

But the 25-year-old, who gets the nod to start after a solid effort off the bench last weekend, said he welcomed the challenge.

“They will come my way but in saying that we've got some pretty exciting players in our backline and my role will be to feed them and give them the opportunities,” said MacKay.

“So I don't think the Reds can concentrate on targeting me too much with all the players around me.

“My job will be made a lot easier by those guys that are around me and I don't think I have to try and overplay my hand too much and do those things Gits does on the field.

“I'm not going to bring that sort of individual brilliance to the game that he does but I can help control it.”

With MacKay named as Giteau's replacement at fly-half, Mitchell said there was no reason they could not win without their key player.

“We control our destiny from here onwards, so we have got no choice,” said Mitchell.

“We have still got an opportunity, so we do not have any choice but to play and have a crack.

“We have still got it stored away that we were called 'Queensland B' there at one stage, but that is all negative motivation.

“If we have to rely on that as motivation, well clearly we should not be involved in professional rugby. We will be above that.”

Mitchell said in Giteau's absence, MacKay would have to bring similar leadership qualities to the talented Force backline.

“He seems be absorbing the workload quite well, and his greatest asset is his leadership and his ability to work with others,” said Mitchell.

“He is very calming on the group when he is there.”