Genia stays with the Reds!
April 30, 2012 in Uncategorized
The world’s best scrumhalf dropped a big bomb, or should we say that the media, ala Tim Horan, leaked out a possible move from the Reds to the Force in 2013 for Will Genia. Although Genia reacted in saying that nothing was signed, he decided yesterday to change is mind and stay with the current SupeRugby Champions.
Genia was offer a $600 000 deal with the Force, but accepted a $100 000 less Reds contract. That’s what you call loyalty ladies and gentlemen!
It is a big blow for the Force after they already lost Richard Graham their coach to the Reds and Nathan Sharpe will hang up his boots at the end of this Super15 season.
PS: my personal viewpoint is that Genia stayed due to:
- Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane. I’m sure that if Genia would have left for Perth, Cooper would have followed. Ioane Tweeted that he would never leave the Reds again for another Aus S15 team. That just tells me he will go overseas in the future.
- Ewan McKenzie might be the next Wallaby coach if Robbie Deans fails this year and next year against the Lions. If Deans lose badly this year in the Fournations or againt Scotland and Wales, he might be gone anyhow. Genia will be a future Wallaby captain; he is only 23 years. So maybe he realised if he turns his back on McKenzie he turns his back on Wallaby captaincy as he won’t be captain at the Force while David Poccock is there.
- He learned from Digby Ioane, James O’Connor and Matt Giteau that it is difficult to ‘lift and carry’ the Force with just a few world stars. How many times has Sharpie had to do a losing speech?
If the Force had signed other ‘big names’ and a brilliant coach, Genia might have thought again and again about the move. Oops, he did change his mind a few times over the weekend.
crocowild said on April 30, 2012
Really nearly unheard of that such a talented player will play for less money. Then it makes sense if you look at what a hammering James o Connor and Kurtley Beale is taking from defenders while playing for the Rebels. They are the big gamebreakers , therefore everyone is putting career threathening tackles in on them. Bearing that in mind, getting 100000 less might not be such a bad idea.
wallabokiwi said on April 30, 2012
croco, very valid point by you. Genia felt after the Reds victory that the spirit in Qld is to good. I think the fact that Q Cooper will stay in Brissie has a big nifluence, so Digby. Digby stated that he will never ever play against the Reds again. he loves them too much. so what Digby is saying is that if he leaves the Reds again it would be for an overseas club. those 3 together are magic. but $100000 less show his loyalty. I would have signed for the Force for sure! PS: the fact that E McKenzie might coach the Wallbies in future (Genia is only 23)must have had a big influence as well. Genia might be a future Wallaby captain.
HJDuminy said on April 30, 2012
Brilliant scrummie. World’s best? Debatable.
KevinD26 said on April 30, 2012
FJ2. for sure any world’s best will be debatable. 1:Genie 2: Phillips 3: Hougaardt currently. last year’s WC Phillips were better during the WC. the series between the Wallabies and Wales could answer thaf later this year. Yours?