Wallabies World Cup preparation: Will Genia impresses in cameo appearance against USA

WILL Genia knows his time with the Wallabies is running out, and given his performance against the USA, he looks intent on making the most of every moment of it.

CARDIFF, WALES - NOVEMBER 30: Will Genia of Australia runs with the ball during the international match between Wales and Australia at the Millennium Stadium on November 30, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

WILL Genia knows his time with the Wallabies is running out, and given his performance against the USA, he looks intent on making the most of every moment he has left.

The former Queensland Reds halfback, who joins French club Stade Francais at the end of the Rugby World Cup, replaced Nick Phipps five minutes into the second half of Australia’s 47-10 win in Chicago and was in commanding form.

While Wallaby coach Michael Cheika pointed out that Phipps had been disadvantaged by playing behind a clearly rattled pack in the first half, there is no doubt Genia has given him plenty to think about when he chooses his starting side for Australia’s RWC opener against Fiji in two weeks time.

Will Genia impressed in a brief appearance against the USA.

MATCH: Wallabies clip Eagles’ wings in Chicago

PLAYER RATINGS: who starred and who flopped

USA V WALLABIES: five things we learnt

PERFECT PREPARATION: Cheika happy with hit out

Which halfback to start with has been a conundrum for Cheika since he took over the side just under a year ago.

Genia was given first crack at the No.9 jersey in this year’s Rugby Championship, but a knee injury in the win over South Africa saw Phipps and Nic White gain the inside running.

With Cheika leaving White at home for the world’s premier tournament, it is now a battle between two for the starting spot, although Genia says he is not looking at it that way.

“Obviously you do want to start but at the same time you want to contribute,” he said.

“Phippsy played 45 (minutes against the USA), I played 35. You contribute in different ways.

“It’s not about making it one against the other in the squad. It’s about working together and whoever gets the opportunity you’re happy for them and then you contribute in other ways as well. That’s just being honest.”

Genia has always been able to make that contribution through quick service, physical presence and a loud voice, but as he comes to the end of his career, it is his 60-odd Test experience that Cheika is looking for just as much.

That experience was evident in the closing seconds of the USA Test when the fulltime hooter had gone, Australia had possession with plenty of field to work with and the crowd was baying for more. Genia calmly ran to the sideline and booted the ball into the second deck of the Soldier Field grandstand.

“I think they were blowing up at me saying we should keep playing, but the boys looked like they were out on their feet so I thought I’d just end it,” he laughed.

“Cheik spoke to me before we came on tour and told me one of the reasons we picked you, obviously you’ve played for a while and we want your leadership experience as well, so make sure you bring it. Those are the ways I can contribute to the group.”

And with the knowledge that this could be his last chance, he’ll take every chance he gets.

“You realise now you’re going overseas you’re out of the bubble of Australian rugby, you’re out of the immediate attention of focus and I want to really enjoy these next seven weeks,” he said.

“It probably could be the last time I play for Australia.”

And whether that means combining with his long-time Reds halves partner Quade Cooper, or the Waratahs’ Bernard Foley, he could not care less.

“People ask me all the time,” he said.

“They say, ‘you went alright with Foles tonight’. Well, we train so much together that you develop those combinations in training and you develop those little intricacies that mean so much in big games.

“I train with Quade, I train with Foles … it’s not an issue. I don’t even think about it.

Nick Phipps wasn’t as influencial as he might have been.

“They’re different players. They bring what they bring. We obviously want to play a style of game and they bring their own bits and pieces to it but you train so much with each other that you figure those things out.

“You go into a game and you have so many conversations beforehand that by the time kick-off comes, you’re comfortable. Foles will say, ‘look for me on this, look for me on that’, or ‘look for me, I’ll be in the pocket,’ and things like that, so it’s honestly not an issue.

“They’re different players, but we’ve all bought into playing a certain game, so to that end it’s minimised. It’s not just about going out there and winging it and backing someone’s X-Factor or backing someone’s stability or whatever.

“It’s about going out there and playing a certain way and then you bring your subtle differences to it.

“It’s obviously fast, fluent rugby, moving the ball around, playing a high possession game. Cheik’s big thing is once you get on the front foot and start playing rugby, it’s all about trusting your instincts.

“I’m loving it.”

Originally published as Wallabies World Cup preparation: Will Genia impresses in cameo appearance against USA