Back in red: Will Genia
Wallabies and Reds scrum-half Will Genia will make his comeback from injury in Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Western Force.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined for the last six months after injuring his knee during Australia's Rugby Championship clash against South Africa.
Genia, who will skipper the Reds, is expected to play just 40 minutes at Suncorp Stadium as coach Ewen McKenzie eases his star man back into the fold.
"Hopefully from then on I will be playing the full 80," said Genia.
"I said they would have to handcuff me at halftime because I will want to get back out there.
"But I have to be smart, build up the endurance. It would be wise just to keep it to 40 minutes."
Genia also sounded confident of being in good shape before the arrival of the British and Irish Lions' tour Down Under.
"I know I have done the hard work in getting my body right. It has actually been fortunate in a way because it has allowed me to have a full pre-season," he added.
"I am refreshed after being out of the game for so long. I am happy about my fitness and my head space."
Comments
new_j4a says...
@Trinats, if the truth be known, I do rate Genia, when in form, as one one of the top few playing today and with the potential to reach the top 3 of recent times with Gregan and Joost. But if you go back as far as the 70s, nobody is going to come close to Gareth Edwards. Who the hell was Farr Jones? A Kiwi? I must have missed him somehow......(just kidding)
Posted 06:12 14th March 2013
Trader2 says...
Will be great to see Genia back, a real talent but still in the making. NFJ was only considered "great" after the 1991 WC yet he made his Wannabie debut in 1984, so Genia has a bit to go to be in that class methinks. Genia's problem I am sure relates to who is playing outside him, all great 9's have equally great 10's and sadly will Will there just ain't many of them in Oz. Equally of course this is also the reason why he looks so good, he has to do most of it himself. Knees are tricky to come back from, a lot easier physically than it is mentally so good luck to him.
Posted 13:35 13th March 2013
tha_mai says...
trinads - myopia at it's best - ("half of I have no idea who they are, soccer players ?")
that explains your feeble 'argument' - you only know the names of your own local team.
Live a little.
Posted 11:16 13th March 2013
Trinats2 says...
new_j4a:
ha ha you're a funny bugger ! Yes there is a huge gap, no one come close to him !
Out of your list mentioned (half of I have no idea who they are, soccer players ?) only Cruden on current form would be an exciting prospect.
But it's mot the backs, it's the pack that he has played behind which puts him on the back foot in recent years. Imagine Genia behind a French or Argentinian pack ! wow
A half (excuse the pun IAMpunter !) fit Genia is still better than anyone else. Actually even at 10 here is better than most !!!
He is right up there (even at this stage of his career) with the best of all time
Farr-Jones, Joost VdW (the south african one) , Gregan and by all acounts Edwards the Welsh scrum half from the 70s
As a coach (of juniors not at Int level !) it's very hard to coach/teach what Genia does.
Posted 10:59 13th March 2013
tha_mai says...
IAMpunter2609 - it's a rugby tournament, not international test matches, what does it matter where people were born? Toua also from PNG, schooled in Oz and making a rugby career for himself in Oz, good for him. Most applaud the inclusion of the two Japanese players this year, the Welshman Delve is doing well, what does it matter at this level?
Posted 10:04 13th March 2013
tha_mai says...
genia - may get back to his peak, when he was perhaps #1 in mid 2011, though his RWC form wasnot memorable, 2012 he had lost interest - money/contract squabbles with the Force then back to Reds, seemed disinterested leading up to his injury; may have a silver lining the break done him good and re-motivated, but if you're only as good as your last game, then he'd struggle for a Top 10 right now based on his last outings for the Reds. Now, Brumbies White has to be the first choice for Qantas Wallabies - and he can kick accurately as well
"oh no, another duffed box kick from Genia"
At least he has an easy comeback match, should be all forward v the Force who've been hit by injury (oh no, that's the Reds excuse isn't it?)
Posted 08:55 13th March 2013
IAMpunter2609 says...
Will be good to see Genia back in the reds maybe the Aussie conference wont be a one horse race. Get the pun?
Trinats you love to point out non NZ born players in NZ teams.... your Genia is from PNG. Not that origin of players matters to myself or anyone else. Just you.
The big Welsh halfback, I forget his name, is up there with Genia. Aaron Smith is up there also. Genia is no1 imo.
Posted 06:04 13th March 2013
spoons says...
Genia is a good player but not a great player yet. He seems to be easily put off his game and if that happens he struggles to get it back. Definitely the best in Aust by a long way though.
Posted 04:12 13th March 2013
Tails81 says...
I have to disagree guys. While I am a massive Genia fan and agree that when in form he's the best no. 9 (or 2nd best) on the planet. I think Nic White at the Brumbies is closing the gap; he brings a different element to the game to Genia and I personally am looking forward to seeing him support Genia from the bench for the Wallabies in future.
Posted 21:58 12th March 2013
brands says...
this guy had one (maybe two at a stretch) good seasons and all of a sudden he is the world best #9?? I dont think so donuts!
Posted 21:26 12th March 2013
new_j4a says...
@Trinats, really? "There is a big gap between Genia and any 9 in the world" Really? I see Genia as right up there with some of the best in NZ and SA. I am surprised you don't rate him more highly.....perhaps because he is passing the ball pretty much into a black hole, but imagine Genia paired with Carter, Cruden, Goosen, Lambie, Jantjies, Catrakilis, Grant, Wilkenson, or Farrel. He'd have a chance to shine and you'd have to expect Genia to at least make the world's top ten scrum halves though probably in the bottom 3?
Posted 19:11 12th March 2013
Trinats2 says...
There is a big gap between Genia and any 9 in the world (maybe not Nick Farr-Jones)
It will take a few weeks to get match fit, so don't expect fireworks from day one.
Posted 12:58 12th March 2013
tha_mai says...
Good news; hope they manage his paying time carefully, 40 minutes enough for a first match back - have to balance the needs of the Reds v the needs of Qantas Wallabies fr the Lions tests, and there is a big gap between Genia at his best and the next-best Australian 9.
Posted 08:16 12th March 2013