Will Genia looking for fresh start at Rebels

Will Genia has spoken of his desire to return to the Queensland Reds before coming to the conclusion that playing elsewhere in Australia would be best at his first press conference as a Rebel.

“I was pretty adamant that I wanted to go back to Queensland but once I sat down and had a think about things, I think I was ready for a fresh start coming back here to Australia,” he said.

“I realised that I did actually leave the Reds in 2015 for a reason.

“That was to search for something new and I knew I wasn’t going to find that going back there, as well.

“I had done everything that I wanted to do with the Reds and I think, honestly, I have firmly closed that chapter in my life.

Genia has 114 Super Rugby caps – all with the Reds – and spent three seasons overseas in the 12 years that have followed.

Will Genia is likely to be the starting halfback for the Rebels after incumbent Nic Stirzaker being released to join Saracens and reserve halfback Ben Meehan signing with Bath. A host of young playmakers are looking to play alongside him in the 10 jersey after veteran flyhalf Jono Lance still on the sidelines with a broken hand from his time in Europe.

“Hodgey has been training a little bit more at 12 but you have Tayler Adams at 10, Jack McGregor and even Jack Maddocks as well,” Genia said.

“We have a number of options there and because a lot of them are quite young other than Hodgey it will come down to training performance and the training paddock and how they go in trial games.”

Genia said he hoped his old halves comrade Quade Cooper would find a new home, having been discarded by new Reds coach Brad Thorn.

“He’s one of my good mates and more than that, he’s one of my favourite players that I’ve ever played with and to ever watch,” Genia said.

“I find myself watching him on YouTube every now and then because he is just a great player.

“I just hope we see him playing again at that top level soon.

“Either against him or with him because as I said, he is a great player and he has so much to offer, still.”