Will Genia sin-binned in frustrating return from injury as Brisbane City thrashed 79-18 by NRC leaders Melbourne Rising
WILL Genia’s comeback was a frustrating one as he 9 wasted 10 minutes in the sin bin in Melbourne Rising’s 79-18 NRC thrashing of Brisbane City.
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WILL Genia’s comeback was a frustrating one as the former Wallabies halfback wasted 10 minutes in the sin bin in Melbourne Rising’s 79-18 thrashing of Brisbane City at Ballymore.
Seeking a fluent performance to demonstrate his readiness to return to the Test fold, Genia’s rusty game was indicative of the wider malaise afflicting Brisbane in its first loss of the National Rugby Championship.
The Reds vice-captain expected more from himself in his 30 minutes off the bench but, if anything, his cameo return from ankle surgery emphasises he is human after all.
The Victorian side was polished, with flyhalf Jack Debreczeni toying with his hosts.
Rising winger Tom English looked closer to a Wallabies call up than anyone in a yellow jumper, scoring four tries, while former Reds prospect Jonah Placid scored a five-pointer and cut his ex-teammates to ribbons.
Brisbane coach Nick Stiles said during the build-up that Genia was in “Wallaby-ready” shape, fit and tuned enough to parachute directly into the Australian squad for Saturday night’s Rugby Championship Test in Perth.
That was a confident call given his three months on the sidelines, and the touch required to fulfil his linkman role.
His first three minutes were forgettable, throwing a loose pass that handed the visitors a 16-point lead early in the second half.
Within minutes he was on his way to the bin for a professional foul.
Brisbane was forced into a reshuffle when starting halfback Nick Frisby was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Rising winger Telusa Veainu in the fifth minute.
Frisby’s brain snap sparked a helter skelter seven-try first half.
The halfback’s unusual day out continued when he played the second half at fullback to accommodate Genia’s return.
MELBOURNE RISING 79 (English 4, Timani 2, Placid, Naivalu, Veainu, Leafa, Johansson tries; Debreczeni 6, Johansson con) d BRISBANE CITY 18 (Kuridrani, Kerevi, Gill tries; McIntyre con)
Originally published as Will Genia sin-binned in frustrating return from injury as Brisbane City thrashed 79-18 by NRC leaders Melbourne Rising