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Manu Tuilagi smashes Tom Williams


Top14 player imposter!


JDV smashed by Benoit August


The Northampton Saints 30m scrum!


Bastareaud huge hit on Rory Lamont


All Blacks skills - Pt 2 In the backyard


Trinh-Duc sets up Harinordoquy try


Wales vs England 1999


Greg Holmes great hit on Francois Louw



Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Will Genia - A Wallaby great in the making

Stand out performer against England on Saturday, young Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia’s rise to fame has been rapid. Playing off the bench for most of the Super 14, he now looks to be the obvious successor to the great George Gregan.

Since Gregan retired a few years back, the Wallabies have been searching in vain for a natural heir to the number nine throne. They seem to have finally succeeded, as the 21 year old is already being compared to both Gregan and Nick Farr-Jones.

He was the second choice scrumhalf at the Queensland Reds for much of the season, but impressed to the extent that he made his debut for Australia in the Tri Nations against New Zealand. His first start came against South Africa, in what is now his home town, Brisbane.

Genia was born and raised in Papua New Guinea, before moving to Brisbane when he was 12. He admits he didn’t know anything about rugby union before then.

"It is all rugby league in Port Moresby where I grew up," he said. "I didn't play any team sport when I was a kid. I just played a lot of backyard cricket. I never got involved in any sport at primary school."

"I kind of got into rugby because I was an islander and everyone just assumed I'd be good. I started off as a winger and moved into inside centre and then into halfback. I think I'm still fast though," he added.

At the age of 15 he watched in a boarding house with his schoolmates as Jonny Wilkinson slotted that famous dropgoal to beat the Wallabies in 2003.

"Jonny Wilkinson broke my heart that night. There was a lot of English kids who wouldn’t let it go. They still haven’t let it go."

It’s now six years later, and on Saturday he played against the English at Twickenham, winning the Man of the Match award and scoring his maiden Test try.

"You just take the opportunities as they come really. If it's on to run, you run. If it's on to kick, you kick. If it's on to pass, you pass. You've just got to be aware of what's in front of you," said Genia.

Australia face Ireland next, and while the Grand Slam is the goal, the 5ft 9ins halfback has another challenge ahead of him - getting the Man of the Match trophy home. They’re only allowed 20kg in the bag, and the prize itself weighs 20kg.

"It's bigger than me!" he said.


Time: 04:10


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55 Comments:

  • first! will genia is awesome

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 11, 2009 5:30 pm  

  • second!he does look really promising

    By Anonymous Ireland for WC 2011, at November 11, 2009 5:33 pm  

  • a great player with a lot of potential. seems very calm and down to earth as well. good on him! hope he goes far!

    By Anonymous Jim, at November 11, 2009 5:39 pm  

  • No the only goof youngster the aussies have. They could be best in the world again soon.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 11, 2009 5:45 pm  

  • Great work RD. Good to see efforts like this being archived for Rugby lads around the world.

    Will Genia is a champ, Keep up the good work boys!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 11, 2009 5:49 pm  

  • Yep, very impressed with this lad on Saturday. He was always a danger round the fringes and got the ball out quickly from the break-down (unlike Danny Care who seemed to stare at the ball for a couple of minutes before every pass)

    By Anonymous Ted, at November 11, 2009 5:57 pm  

  • Very good player, only shame is he wasn't born in Australia, I've always been a bit conerned of lots of players playing for "foreign" countries... Anyway, looks like a great player, quick, smart, agile in the step and strong in the tackle. Shame for Luke Burguess, I was starting to like the guy.

    By Anonymous Joost, at November 11, 2009 7:28 pm  

  • Would also give a shout out to the Queensland Reds coaches. Their team has had a rough few years in the Super 14, but they still do a decent job of spotting talent and developing it. Genia's been working hard in that franchise to become a quality 9, and right now you can't argue with the result.

    By Anonymous Edbok, at November 11, 2009 7:41 pm  

  • Overrated. He only looks decent because Luke Burggess is so rubbish.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 11, 2009 10:18 pm  

  • Pressure on this guy already is huge.

    As a side note did you all hear the good news? Melbourne will become the 15th team in the Super15 in 2011!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 11, 2009 10:48 pm  

  • seems pretty good but lets hope he playes terribly against the Irish on Saturday
    Hehe

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 11, 2009 11:11 pm  

  • His playing style doesn't resemble Gregan's, so I find the comparisons borderline racist. Furthermore, he's only started a couple of times and like the other anonymous said, is only getting talked up because his predecessor was so putrid. Maybe he'll shave his hair.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 11, 2009 11:18 pm  

  • Will was always great at School boy level, i loved watching him and his skill. He deserves the Wallabies Jersey, His younger brother Nigel is also an awesome Halfback, has played No.9 at BBC for 3 years, since grade 10 for the 1st XV. Cant wait to see how he grows as an international player, just a great bloke off the field. Congrats Will, you made it. BBC Rep.

    By Anonymous Diego., at November 11, 2009 11:42 pm  

  • Heh... certainly no Fourie du Preez.

    By Anonymous World Champion fan, at November 12, 2009 12:25 am  

  • ^ but he's better than du preez was when he was genia's age. he's only 21 remember

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 12, 2009 1:01 am  

  • How so? what has Genia done that's so impressive? He makes strong darts around the ruck area? well so does Ricky Januarie, give yourself a clap.

    By Anonymous Wickus, at November 12, 2009 1:04 am  

  • A young guy has a few good games and you're already dragging him down by comparing him to others?

    “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 12, 2009 1:35 am  

  • He's only young, so all this hype is a bit much.
    He looks the goods now, he;s got everything a godd scrum half needs.
    He's quick, loves to run the ball and pass (he used to be a midfielder so he can run, step, pass and is ok under the high ball), his rugby brain is excellent for someone so young and most impressive is his defence. He's reminiscent of Gregan in that respect, in that he's capable of dropping any opposition player, forward or back.
    But like any youngster his problem is being consistent in his efforts.
    Originally at QLD he was regarded as exciting but lacking in some fundamentals. By the end of the season he was regarded as one of QLD's best though, and his understanding with Cooper and Ioane in particular has one of their few highlights of the season.
    In short if all goes well, he could be the next great half back (but he's not Gregan or Farr-Jones, he's a different type of player - the running of Farr-Jones and the tackling of gregan).
    But he's still young and it's early in his career so who knows.

    By Anonymous Jon, at November 12, 2009 2:13 am  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 12, 2009 2:26 am  

  • I think he is pretty good...does anybody know the song that is on the first part of the video?

    By Blogger JT, at November 12, 2009 3:57 am  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 12, 2009 4:14 am  

  • A young Georgie Gregan if I ever saw one. We now need a new Burnie.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 12, 2009 4:30 am  

  • "Leaving for Toulouse Tonight. Enjoying the last few hours of sun. No more sun for 3 and a half weeks. Europe here we come."

    Quote from Victor Matfield's Twitter, shows how much he likes the NH. LOL, don't blame him... I guess he doesn't like playing in mud.

    By Anonymous Sergio, at November 12, 2009 6:59 am  

  • Wasn't Burgess compared to Farr-Jones 6 months ago?

    By Anonymous Wagga Magpie, at November 12, 2009 7:19 am  

  • Well he wouldn't be compared to Gregan...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 12, 2009 8:30 am  

  • Anonymous said... His playing style doesn't resemble Gregan's, so I find the comparisons borderline racist.

    Anonymous said... That is why I get sick of rugby, mostly for the people who go to private schools and whose fathers were rugby players.

    Man! .. no wonder these people prefer to remain anonymous .. who would ever want to put their names to idiotic comments like that?
    Good on Genia .. I first saw him against the ABs and he looked good in a losing side .. still a long way to go but I hope he has a great career. Reminds me a little of Sid Going (too bad if that sounds borderline whatever).

    By Anonymous robert, at November 12, 2009 9:48 am  

  • Burgess was compared to Gregan.
    Every Australian scrum half since Gregan has been compared to him.
    Same as they all get compared to Nick Farr-Jones, Gregan, Burgess and Genia that is.

    By Anonymous Joe, at November 12, 2009 10:08 am  

  • Australia seem to overrate their players, mostly because they don't have much going for their Wallabies. Look at James O'connor and George Smith for evidence of this.

    By Anonymous Kiwee, at November 12, 2009 10:56 am  

  • HEY IRELAND

    were are gonna make Brian O'driscoll looooooose on his 100th test!@!!

    Ozzi ozzi ozzi

    By Anonymous Bazza, at November 12, 2009 12:28 pm  

  • Kiwee said..Australia seem to overrate their players etc

    Kiwee, from what I can see most of the buzz on Genia has come from the UK in recent days .. whereas most Oz commentators are saying he's off to a great start but shouldn't be hyped too much and he has a lot to prove yet, and who can argue with that? So I think you're dead wrong in this case.
    And by the way I agree with the great number of rugby followers who think that George Smith is one of the very best international loosies of recent times, so to say he is overrated is ridiculous.

    By Anonymous robert, at November 12, 2009 1:28 pm  

  • robert ease up man. George smith is overrated. Moody gave him a working over last week. Mccaw ALWAYS does bro and Brussow has stolen more ball in his first year than gs has in his whole career bro

    face the facts he isnt the same gs with the dreads that old jerry used to pull. sadly even that one would be exposed by the new fetchers that have come through

    By Anonymous Kiwee, at November 12, 2009 1:37 pm  

  • Kiwee .. whether or not Smith is in career best form right now doesn't change my point .. he has been one of the best in his position against the toughest sides in the world over a long period of time. I never said he was the best ever .. you said he was overrated and I say that at his peak he sure wasn't. I'll stick by that.

    By Anonymous robert, at November 12, 2009 3:04 pm  

  • So who's gonna win on the weekend guys, Ireland or Australia?

    By Anonymous Gus, at November 12, 2009 4:37 pm  

  • Ireland will win I think but im a bit worried about our front row as hayes and Flannery havent played for a while.Also ROG is hardly on top form at the moment.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 12, 2009 7:06 pm  

  • Ireland to win:

    ROG, BOD, Kearney, Fitzgerald and Bowe are an experienced back line with a much more attacking threat than England.

    Also you've got to fancy the likes of O'Connell, O'Calloghan, Wallace, Ferris, Hayes, Heaslip and Flannery in the forwards. A much more settled pack than the patched together England effort of last weekend, and I really think they will do Australia over on Sunday.

    COME ON IRELAND!

    http://studsonthe22.blogspot.com/

    By Blogger Bamberio, at November 12, 2009 9:05 pm  

  • wat are u IRISH basing this on? u still struggled to win the 6 nations even though the competition was so poor. Don't judge Australia on their TN form, because Ireland would have finished without one win at all.

    I keep hearing about how your backs are so dangerous PLEASE. There's a reason why you've never beaten the Abs mate. youd think that BOD would score a hatrick or something against them but nah overrated players dont do that

    Like someone stated before BOD gonna lose on his 100th test and your little undefeated steak of playing against rubbish opposition comes to an END
    OI OI OI!!!!!!

    By Anonymous Victoria Chick, at November 12, 2009 9:18 pm  

  • regarding victoria chick, dont count your bloody chickens mate because i wanna know after the irish maul the heads off ye aussies what you will say then! our backline is better than yours, yer pack cant even compare to ours, so ya lets see what you think come 5.30 sunday mate

    By Blogger Paul Gormley, at November 12, 2009 11:08 pm  

  • Paul gormley, mate... 2 world cups to 0... has Ireland ever even gotten past the quarters? Your country has produced very few greats also. soz to tell you :(

    By Anonymous Victoria Chick, at November 12, 2009 11:43 pm  

  • Ireland should lose, if Australia can just get the ball in their hands.
    Our backs are streets ahead of the Irish in terms of skills and dynamic play.
    None of thios crash ball nonsense you lot play.
    And your forwards are a solid unit, but Palu and Elsom will still smash them.
    Only way Ireland will win is if they win the penalty count and just kick too many penalties for us. They'll never outplay us.

    By Anonymous Jon, at November 13, 2009 1:16 am  

  • well said jon

    so basically u guys can only win if the ref chooses to

    you cant outplay us

    By Anonymous Victoria Chick, at November 13, 2009 1:59 am  

  • Gaelic football versus AFL, leprechauns vs aboriginals, spuds vs kangaroos !!! This match-up excites me !!!

    By Anonymous McBull, at November 13, 2009 4:07 am  

  • Kiwee is clearly an englishman in disguise if he thinks moody is better than george smith.
    Cool story bro.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 13, 2009 4:25 am  

  • man i hate the way fitzgerald is hyped up, hes such a plain dull winger and yet the irish think hes gold.
    ozz to win by 10+ points

    By Anonymous Matt, at November 13, 2009 4:34 am  

  • Matt

    exactly what i thought. james o'connor is going to destroy him

    By Anonymous AUSship, at November 13, 2009 5:28 am  

  • James O'Connor is going to have his way with Paul O'Connell.

    By Anonymous Bazza, at November 13, 2009 6:55 am  

  • wallabies will win comfortably, sorry ireland

    By Anonymous Bakkies Botha is my hero, at November 13, 2009 7:00 am  

  • ... 2 world cups to 0... has Ireland ever even gotten past the quarters? Your country has produced very few greats also. soz to tell you :(

    thats all in the past mate.Aussies are nowhere near the level of their great teams that won the world cup and at present Ireland are the better team and we should win on Sunday.I honestley would only take Genia Giteau Elsom Moore and Mortlock from the aussie team to play in Irelands first 15.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 13, 2009 11:54 am  

  • yeah mate, no sorry. we compete in a little compeition called the trinations that has the springboks (ranked 1) and the all blacks (ranked 2) and us (ranked 3) in the world. it is a lot harder to win that than to win your little 6 nations grand slam thing yet it took you 60 years :O!!

    you have one decent playar in bod so you overhype him until every1 dislikes him so much! :(

    this wallabies team has double the super stars so hopefully we have a good game but i think your in for a beating ;'(

    ozzi ozzi ozzi

    By Anonymous Victoria Chick, at November 13, 2009 12:44 pm  

  • Stop living in the past!Aussies have only won tri nations twice 2000 and 2001 and at that time they had a brillant team but the point im making is that thier present team ,while still being good,are very beatable and Ireland based on their form this year should win.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 13, 2009 2:22 pm  

  • i cannot wait to here yer excuses come sunday night! i never doubted austrlias past history did i? i never said in my comment that i thought we match ye in history did i? wat i did however say was that on current form ie 8/8 versus 1/7 we are on form, every trophy irish teams can compete in are in our cabinets at the moment and ye beat the worst english team on show as long as i can remember. yev also have been playing together for the last 2 months and this is our first match since march. which makes it all the sweeter to ye pathically patriotic 1/7 win aussies.. and before ye give me the "we were playing the top 2 teams in a row" crap, yev bin the 3rd ranked team for years behind those two and have had better success rates than 1/7.. bring on sunday ans wel see whos on form and whos not on form.

    By Blogger Paul Gormley, at November 13, 2009 6:25 pm  

  • You're on Paul.
    Only way Ireland will win is if the ref f#@#s us up with the penalty count.
    We have the better, more skillful players.

    By Anonymous Bill, at November 13, 2009 6:37 pm  

  • where? 15. rob kearney proved his class on the lions tour,14.bowe was the star performer during the lions tour, 13. o driscoll is playing out of his skin at the moment and wallace proves to be a perfect foil for him. o leary WILL edge genia. yer outhalf is better granted. our back row is IMMENSE, like there is no weakness watsoever, we have captain of the lions and his partnership with donnacha has been immaculate for years, yer lineout was in bits last week against BORTHWICK, the worst english player ever to captain his country. the only edge ye have over us is in the front row as flannery is struggling and when fit hes best hooker in europe. hayes is widely renowned as the best lineout lifter in europe and healy has been awesome ALL season. i dunno where yer gettin yer dismissive confidence from, ye simply wont win tomorrow if ireland play to their potential. tell me this with such an awful lineout ye dont get any possession. how ye gonna win the match with no possession. this victory over a depleted england has given ye false hope. yer riddiculous

    By Blogger Paul Gormley, at November 13, 2009 6:47 pm  

  • Pffft, most of your blokes are big and strong, but have sub standard skills.
    Your lot are northern hemisphere players, they aren't skilled.
    No one gives a crap if you've got the best this or that in Europe.
    European rugby is below average, it proves nothing.
    There's two players in the Irish team worth having, Kearney and BOD.
    Your forwards are one dimensional.
    O'Connel is massivley overated. He was average as heel against the Saffers on the Lions tour. Completely one-dimensional.
    No offloading, doesn't hit the line with any pace, aint that quick overall.

    By Anonymous Bill, at November 14, 2009 1:35 am  

  • "European rugby is below average, it proves nothing."

    The french absolutly destroyed the best team in the world last night what does that say about a french team that finished third in march?

    Paul o connell was an incredible captain during the lions tour. people like martyn williams have come out since saying he was the best captain they ever played under. he does the basics extremely well and led by example.

    how many games have you watched in which paul o connell has played? you cannot base your opinion on the fact he was playing in a series that every person on the pitch was playing to their maximum. it was an incredible series in which it was very hard to stand out. the so called best lock pair in the world didnt stand out either. ireland SHOULD beat australia quite comfortably and the south african match will be epic

    By Blogger Paul Gormley, at November 14, 2009 12:33 pm  

  • he suck

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 11, 2010 11:32 am  

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