Will Genia gets a pass mark for his Wallabies debut against All Blacks

[travelling_gerry]

Sudden debutant Will Genia seems certain to win a bigger chance to show his halfback skills when the Wallabies take aim at another daunting Tri-Nations Test on the road against South Africa in Cape Town on August 8.

While the Wallabies are still likely to persevere with 15-Test halfback Luke Burgess after his erratic showing against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday night, they are certain to upgrade Genia from his eight-minute debut off the bench.

The compact Queenslander threw his 15 passes with aplomb and coach Robbie Deans clearly wants to see what he's got at the top level after selecting him for this big game without any match play for two months because of a finger tendon injury.

Genia was at Auckland Airport by 5am yesterday for his flight home and could barely believe the experience he'd just been through.

"I was due to make my comeback at Courtney Field (for Brisbane club Norths) and instead I'm at Eden Park facing the haka and the All Blacks," Genia said.

"It was amazing to get on and experience a Test match. I didn't feel any nerves, just the privilege.
"I'd love to play more than eight minutes and one Test and really get into a rhythm."

Genia got an instant taste of all that the thundering physicality of the Tri-Nations means and the constant pressure that Burgess and fellow Test halfbacks operate under.

"The pace of the game and the breakdown area being an absolute battle zone, from where halfbacks have to get out the ball, are the big differences from Super 14. It's in your face immediately," Genia said.

Genia's father Kilroy, a former defence minister in the government of Papua New Guinea, made the trip from Port Moresby to watch his son while coach Chris Lane, Genia's mentor since the under-11s, also flew in for the proud debut.

The Test entertainment was provided by singer Mark Williams and the rendition of his 1990s hit, Show No Mercy, should have been adapted more into the Wallaby game plan.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-32464,00.html

[Burgs]

Genia to start please!
Best passing by a Wallaby #9 in many many years.

[sandgroperrugby]

Sweet pass good set off the base from both left to right straight onto the chest. AWESOME. PASS PASS PASS

[Hoolly Doolly]

Id prefer Valentine to be the immediate fix and work Genia eventually into the starting 9. Genia either way is the future at the base of the rucks and scrums.

[welshrugbyfan]

I'll give him some credit, he was good. You boys actually started to look like a structured team when he came on and started to go forward. League needs a good 6/7 combination for a winning team and Union needs the 9/10 to be the same.

Problem is with all the talk about starting him next time he'll probably play like crap.

PS, 6/7 are the only important roles on a team in League where as all 15 players are important in Union (well except the wingers).

[palitu]

WRF, you saw how important it is that wingers dont drop the high balls!

[sandgroperrugby]

WRF, you saw how important it is that wingers dont drop the high balls!

And can kick more than 10m down the ground into touch!!

[KenyaQuin]

Gotta agree..what a pass he's got.

My only question mark is his size. Haven't watched much of his attacking game so could be wrong..anyone know better?

[welshrugbyfan]

WRF, you saw how important it is that wingers dont drop the high balls!

Hey I've played on the wing I know how important their ability to stand their and be passed the final pass and get their name on the score sheet after the rest of the team has done all the work.

[Endurance]

Gotta agree..what a pass he's got.

My only question mark is his size. Haven't watched much of his attacking game so could be wrong..anyone know better?

Strong ball runner for a halfback, scored some good trys in Super14 in broken play

pretty much Gregan + 10kgs

[shasta]

Genia's father Kilroy, a former defence minister in the government of Papua New Guinea, made the trip from Port Moresby

Mike Gibson mentioned his Dad on The Back Page tonight. Not sure if it was Marto or Billy Birmingham came out with a good line... "So he's Minister for Spears". Not very nice - but funny.

[mudskipper]

Valentine will get a spot next year if he improves... Genia was a standout this year in an average team...

[JediKnight]

Valentine will get a spot next year if he improves... Genia was a standout this year in an average team...

Valentine needs to learn how to behave himself. The word on the street is that his 'dropping' from the squad isn't 100% due to lack of form or fitness.

[lotus flower]

he will fit in well in canberra

[mudskipper]

Well... Valentine had a very soft season training with the coachless Cottesloe Beach Force... He will have a harder preseason with the Brumbies... they won't stomach any lack fitness... back to HMAS Creswell... mean while I think he will enjoy building his Brumbies game with Toomua and crew on tour in France this August...