Rugby World Cup: Wallabies risk rookie halves pairing for Fiji clash

THEY have only played 72 minutes of rugby together but Will Genia insists he and World Cup halves pairing Bernard Foley can succeed.

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THEY have only played 72 minutes of rugby together but Will Genia says he feels just as comfortable alongside Bernard Foley in the halves as he does with long-time ally Quade Cooper.

Genia and Foley will start their first Test match together for the Wallabies after being named by coach Michael Cheika to steer the side around against Fiji in their opening World Cup clash in Cardiff on Thursday morning.

Their selections came at the end of a long trial process by the Wallabies coaches that saw them use a different no. 9 and no. 10 combination in every single Test this winter.

The one combination they didn’t start a Test with — due to an knee injury sidelining Genia for six weeks — is the pairing they’ve ultimately decided is their best, and will likely carry through to the massive England clash as well.

Foley and Genia have only played together in four Tests dating back to 2013, and all via one or other entering from the bench. Their 34 minutes against the USA in Chicago was the longest stint, but they combined well and Genia’s ability to play the ball at the ruck base helped deliver more direct options for the Wallabies.

Will Genia will be Australia’s starting halfback for the opening World Cup match against Fiji.

Coach Michael Cheika decided via a “gut feel” that he wanted Genia’s 60-Test experience in the no. 9 shirt.

“It (the USA game) was good. He (Foley) is very similar to Quade in that he’s very specific and demanding in what he wants. That makes my job a lot easier,” Genia said, dismissing the notion that their lack of game time together was a concern.

“I’ve said it plenty of times before. You train so much with each other and we essentially had a pre-season away in the US and the week before when we were in Sydney. You train so much with each other that you learn how that person plays.

“The biggest thing about getting over those sorts of things is there’s plenty of communication and being specific with that. He’s very good with that, as is Quade. I think as a nine, Phippsy and myself are pretty lucky with the guys we have to work with.

Asked if he felt as comfortable with Foley as Cooper, with whom he played his entire Queensland career, Genia said: “To be honest — yes. And I’m not just saying that.

“You train so much together and you’re away on tour so much together, so in your spare time you talk about the game, you talk about how you should be approaching this and that. You talk about how you’re going to do things on the field, what you’re going to say as far as communication. I don’t think there’s any problems.”

Cheika said he thought Genia’s six weeks off to surgically fix a lingering knee problem had been beneficial for the 27-year-old, and he’d returned fresher and with the running zip of a younger Will Genia.

Genia was once considered the best halfback in the world but has struggled in the past few seasons, and been in and out of the Wallabies with Nick Phipps and Nic White pushing through.

Without nominating which recent coaches he wasn’t happy under, Genia said his revival was down to the fact he loved playing under Cheika and his Wallabies system.

“I just feel comfortable in this environment. I feel happy in this environment,” Genia said.

“I feel a bit of freedom to express myself. It’s really good when you have coaches that back you as well — guys like Cheik, Bernie, Graysie. They basically back you to do your job and back your instincts. I’m just really happy being in this environment. Wednesday is all about going out there and making the country proud but not letting my teammates down.”

Genia said he’d never stressed about missing the World Cup squad during his time on the sidelines but simply focused on doing his rehab work.

He said he was pleased to get the chance to amend a disappointing 2011 Rugby World Cup, and is attempting to soak up every minute of the experience prior to moving to France after the World Cup to play for Stade Francais.

“​I never thought I’d be back here, because you never think so far ahead,” he said.

“From 2011, it’s another four years. There’s so much rugby to play. To be back here ... I was sitting with Scotty Sio the other day and we were just saying how excited we are and how lucky we are to be here.

“On the other hand you’ve got to make sure you make the most of it, that you’ve learnt the lessons from the last opportunity you had. You’ve got to be grateful for this crack but also just make the most of it.”

Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Wallabies risk rookie halves pairing for Fiji clash