'That'd be the dream': Will Genia reveals final destination on rugby-playing hitlist
Will Genia will likely be remembered as one of Australia’s greatest ever halfbacks. The 33-year-old, whose last Super Rugby appearance was for the Rebels back in 2019, currently plays for the Kintetsu Liners in the second tier of Japanese rugby, but over the past decade he has arguably been one of the game’s best in his position.
Throughout his career, Genia has enjoyed successes both on the international stage and domestically. A Super Rugby champion with the Reds back in 2011, it was whilst he was in the Queensland setup that Genia first formed his now famous partnership with Quade Cooper, as the pair terrorised defences en route to a maiden title. In that campaign few will forget Genia’s stunning 5om score to deny the Crusaders in a close-run final in Brisbane.
Making his international test debut in 2009, Genia went on to achieve 110 caps for the Wallabies, winning a Tri Nations title and a Rugby Championship title along the way. Throw in a successful stint at Stade Français, with whom he clinched the European Rugby Challenge Cup and you have an honours list the envy of any player out there.
But there’s seemingly one goal yet to be ticked off on Genia’s long and illustrious rugby bucket list.
“I’ve always wanted to maybe come over and play in New Zealand for a year or so,” Genia said, a guest on this week’s Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “That’d be the dream, when I’ve finished.”
By his own admission, Genia still has unfinished business in Japan with Kintetsu, where he and Cooper currently form the halfback pairing, winding back the clock to 2011.
“I went there [Kintetsu] straight after the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and I’ve got another year there,” commented Genia. “So I’m keen for another two more and that’ll probably be it – hang [the boots] up.”
On his experiences with Japanese rugby outside of the Top League, Genia was quick to provide a glowing report. “It’s a good lifestyle over there, obviously the footy’s not the same as it is back home, but they’re really good people,” Genia said. “The game’s growing and it’s really good to be a part of that growth.”
Though a little tongue in cheek, regular panel members and North Harbour teammates Bryn Hall and James Parsons seemed rightly enthused by the prospect of Genia’s appearance in either Super Rugby or the NPC, albeit at some undetermined stage in the future. Indeed, the pair were quick to highlight all the benefits of living on Auckland’s North Shore showing off some savvy negotiation tactics.
“There’s great coffee over here mate,” Hall assured Genia. “If you love a coffee, Takapuna’s the spot. Beach just down the road as well.” Parsons also, jumped in to offer his services with the ‘impending’ house search.
Just who could step up and take the mantle in the Chiefs backline if their star playmaker Damian McKenzie heads offshore? #Chiefs #SuperRugby https://t.co/Yv0uFkTczP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 29, 2021
Jokes aside, Genia was complimentary of the nation he has so often faced off against at test level. “One of my favourite memories of footy in general was the World Cup in New Zealand in 2011. I love New Zealand, I’ve always enjoyed going over there and we were based in Auckland for a large part of the World Cup, so that might be a thing for the future.”
Even if it were a distant prospect, Genia’s experience and nous would be an undeniable asset for any team in New Zealand both on and off the field. Indeed as Hall put it, “I’d be learning a few tricks off him for sure.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Except for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
33 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
33 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
33 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
33 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
33 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
33 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
33 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to comments