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'He's a very, very good player': The potential Wallabies star Will Genia believes is the real deal

By Online Editors
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images,)

Former Wallabies star Will Genia has lathered up-and-coming Reds halfback Tate McDermott in praise, but has issued a warning if the talented Queensland youngster is to realise his full potential.

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Genia is back in Brisbane amid the coronavirus pandemic after spending a season with the Kintestsu Liners in Japan’s second-tier Top Challenge League following last year’s failed World Cup campaign with the Wallabies.

During his time back in Australia, the 32-year-old has been working with McDermott after fielding a call from Reds attack coach Jim McKay to help aid the development of the incumbent Queensland halfback.

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Genia’s retirement from the international game leaves new Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie with a void to fill at halfback, and the 110-test veteran firmly believes McDermott could be the player to fit the bill.

Widely regarded as one of the most promising prospects in Australian rugby, the uncapped 21-year-old was described by Genia as a “very, very good player” in an interview with rugby.com.au.

However, Genia – who was instrumental in helping the Reds clinch their maiden Super Rugby title in 2011 – said that McDermott’s natural attacking instincts need to be maintained if the Wallabies are to get the best out of him.

“I definitely think he’s got the game (to play test rugby), he just needs to make sure he doesn’t get that coached out of him,” Genia said.

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“I just love how he plays off instinct, he’s got that good balance with that attacking brand of rugby, he sees the breakdown and in anticipation he might do something, whether he runs or whether he’s putting someone into space and I like watching him play heads-up footy.

“He needs to keep that attacking mindset and that want to play the game because makes him the player that he is.

“For me,  players like him don’t want to coach those things out of him.

“He’s got something in his game not many other halfbacks in world rugby have, he’s just got that really attacking mindset and the ability to get players in the game – whether it be in his running, passing, quick taps or though mauls, scrums and lineouts.

“He’s got a good ability to read space and fill space – you never want to coach that out of them and have that ‘get to the breakdown, pass, get to the breakdown, pass’ approach, you want to encourage him.”

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With the COVID-19 crisis bringing rugby around the globe to its knees, though, McDermott may have to wait some time before he begin to ply his trade in the green and gold of a Wallabies jersey.

Super Rugby remains on hold for the foreseeable future following its suspension after seven rounds of action, while Australia’s July tests against Ireland and Fiji are in doubt, as is the annual Rugby Championship.

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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