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Genia joins Rebels after re-signing with ARU

Will Genia

Wallabies vice-captain Will Genia has returned home to play Super Rugby for Melbourne Rebels.

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Former Queensland Reds scrum half Genia, 29, arrives in Melbourne on a two-year deal until 2019 after re-signing with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), following a stint in France with Stade Francais.

Rebels were only assured of their future in Super Rugby last week after Western Force were axed by SANZAAR, who culled the competition from 18 to 15 teams.

Now Rebels will be able to call upon the 78-Test veteran, starting next year.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the guys down in Melbourne, they have a great young team with plenty still to achieve in Super Rugby, so I’m excited to get stuck in in 2018,” Genia said Tuesday.

“First and foremost I’m there to contribute to the desired success of the club on the field through my performance and ability as a player. After that, it’ll be a great chance to bring some of the things I’ve learned over the years to the club, and help drive the club forward.

“I was always clear that I wanted to return to Australian Rugby. I love playing for my country and can’t wait to have another opportunity to pull on the gold jersey this weekend.”

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Nickers 22 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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