Will Genia unearthed as once-in-a-generation halfback

Will Genia, the discovery of the season, is fast emerging as a once-in-a-generation halfback for Australia after again stealing the show in the Wallabies’s 18-9 Cook Cup win over England at Twickenham.

In only his fourth Test start – after debuting during the Tri Nations with a “man-of-gold” effort in Australia’s 21-6 victory over South Africa – Genia was awarded official man-of-the-match honours after terrorising England in their own backyard with another dazzling display.

The great Nick Farr-Jones debuted on the Wallabies’s 1984 grand slam tour and, a quarter of a century on, Genia is being hailed as Australia’s long-term solution for the No.9 position.

Genia is a breath of fresh air for Australian rugby fans, his crisp service giving star five-eighth Matt Giteau time and space to shine and spark the Wallabies backline into action.

Coach Robbie Deans lauded the pint-sized Genia for his courage, poise and vision after the the Port Moresby-born 21-year-old crowned his memorable display with his maiden Test try.

“He was great,” Deans said. “He’s a calm bloke for a young man.

“He’s offering us a lot in terms of being the hinge between the front and the back.

“Obviously the work’s got to happen in front of him for him to have any scope, and that was happening, which allowed him to threaten those inside channels.

“He does that well when he’s presented with that opportunity and that helps our game. It means that we’re not just transferring pressure to the backs.

“He commands something of the inside defence, which just creates that little bit of doubt and allows us to get the ball with a little bit more width, and that saps energy and, over time, takes its toll on the opposition.”

Savouring his “amazing” Twickenham experience, the fearless Genia insisted “there’s no point being nervous”.

“You’ve got to be excited and look forward to the challenge because it’s an opportunity that you never want to take for granted, playing for your country,” he said.

“I just try to be as calm as I can. No point if you’ve made a mistake thinking about it and dwelling on it because you’re just going to make more mistakes.”

And confirming his confidence, Genia said he sensed there’d be tryscoring chances after studying footage of England.

“I thought their pillars – their ones, two, three – were a little bit sluggish and and I kind of had a feeling that if they got into that one position, I could get out and beat them on the outside,” he said of his close-range strike.

“But it was great build-up play from the forwards – patience and composure – and we got to their line and they presented me with the opportunity and I just did my best to take it.

“You just take the opportunities as they come really. If it’s on to run, you run. If it’s on to kick, you kick. If it’s on to pass, you pass.

“You’ve just got to be aware of what’s in front of you.”

Deans said Genia’s only problem was getting his man-of-the-match trophy home.

“We’re only allowed 20kg in that bag and his prize is 20kg itself,” he said.

“It’s bigger than me,” Genia added, only half joking.