Australia’s first World Cup winning skipper Nick Farr-Jones believes Will Genia will ultimately rank alongside the legendary Ken Catchpole, and declared New Zealand are scared of the dynamic halfback.
Former No.9 Farr-Jones said hosts New Zealand were still favourites, but is confident Australia will meet them in the final after being impressed by the Wallabies’ win over the All Blacks in Brisbane last Saturday.
“I thought the game that I witnessed at Suncorp Stadium was probably the best Wallaby performance I’ve seen for at least a decade,” said Farr-Jones as the World Cup trophy was displayed in Sydney on Wednesday.
He labelled Genia as the best halfback in world rugby and a key component of the Wallabies side.
“I’d say leading into the World Cup, along with (All Black playmaker) Dan Carter he is the most valuable player that any team has,” he said.
“No disrespect to (back-up halfbacks (Nick) Phipps and (Luke) Burgess but if I woke and found out that Genia had a tournament-ending injury then I’d almost give up on the Wallabies’ hopes – he is that good.”
He thought that in time Genia’s place in the pecking order of Wallabies halfbacks would become clearer.
“I suspect in five years we’ll rate him probably even on the same level as Ken Catchpole, who has always been considered our greatest scrum half, I think he’s that good,” he said.
“What I like about him is his complete game. He’s got the bread and butter and he’s got the confidence.
“The things that set apart scrum halves are your lateral vision, I think Genia’s got it in spades.
“His judgement is fantastic.
“It’s all about when you do it and it’s the surprise element and that’s probably his greatest strength, his judgement, his vision and then that strength in running.
“I can tell you without doubt that he’s got the New Zealanders, both the squad and the public, pooing themselves.”
Farr-Jones recalled a Bledisloe Cup loss for Australia prior to the the 1991 World Cup proved critically important to the Wallabies winning the tournament that year. He’s worried New Zealand might benefit similarly this time around.
“My biggest fear for the boys going over is that I’m sure that post Brisbane, the All Blacks probably had the loss they had to have,” Farr-Jones said.
“I still think they start as clear favourites to win it, I think they will have that steely determination, and in a way I think their nation deserves it.”
Farr-Jones said the scrum was still Australia’s Achilles heel but felt it was slowly improving.
He rated the current Wallabies backline as good as any he had seen, but said they needed time and space.
Farr-Jones said he would like to see the third-fourth playoff at the World Cup scrapped in favour of a northern versus southern hemisphere game. He hopes in 20 years the number of realistic Cup contenders would double to eight or ten.
Mike
Guest
Do you think Hougaard will get a run instead of Du Preez?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Gregan deserves to be included in this discussion, he is in my top 5 Wallaby halfbacks. He was a tremendous competitor, a real warrior & great leader. He wasn't technically a great halfback ( pass ) however those other attributes made up for it.
AdamS
Guest
Gregan tarnished the public perception by hanging around too long and getting too many refs offside with his arguing.
Timnaik
Guest
Genia's passing is his best asset. If his passing was crap he'd be another Luke Burgess.
jason8
Guest
I find it bizarre that no one even mentioned George Gregan in this discussion as the best ever in Aus history !? Also as much as i think Genia is great player with much ahead of him - he is not yet the worlds best FDP still just ahead of him ( just needs some gametime after a season of setbacks and injury) - no doubt Genia is next in line tho !
AdamS
Guest
Not unless Weepu lays off the Hungis...
Hopperdoggy
Guest
Didn't go to Ashgrove did you Uncle Argyle - I was in the same year as a couple of those guys, along with Graham Bond, Richard Graham. Was a good year for Ashgrove Rugby needless to say!
soapit
Guest
third they're not that accurate. often going out on the full when he's trying to land them near the sideline.
Stewart
Guest
The disappointment of Genia's performance in Auckland was evident; I would say that was because he had his options limited .... QC had a shocker! would you want to pass to him that night? No-one seems to note how bad the performance of Quaide Cooper was in that match! (In comparison to all other performances this year for Reds and Wallabies). He didn't seem to have the time to make decisions.... I was given the understanding that QC went into that match after a week of illness. I am not so much saying that Genia is brilliant or that QC is brilliant , but together, when on fire, they are brilliant!
Tissot Time
Guest
Ich danke Ihnen Jerry
Jerry
Guest
A few people have mentioned that call. I thought it was a wrong call at the time, but it's since been pointed out that if there is doubt about who has grounded the ball, an attacking 5m scrum is called. While I don't agree that's what happened, as I thought Mils had taken the ball from AAC, I can see how such a decision could have been made. And regardless, the AB's had the opportunity to defuse/repel that situation once the scrum had been given.
Tissot Time
Guest
PeterK I wanted your referees opinion on what I thought was the key moment in the test last weekend. Little has been made of the decision when AAC was prevented scoring a try by PW and MM. From my eye on the head on shot AAC appears to loose control of the ball and MM seemed to have grounded the ball. From the ensuing scrum the Wallabies score whereas a 22 drop out would have resulted in a different field position. I am not trying to justify a loss as the Wallabies deserved their win by being more active at the breakdown and aggressive on the gainline.
beyondthestump
Guest
i'm a massive sanchez fan. he just seems to get better and he has the potential to be the worlds best. for the reds and wallabies sake i hope this is the case. obviously he can't do this behind a pack that is dominated. for mine though, weepu is as dangerous as any ab. weepu and genia facing off over the next few years should make for some exciting rugby!
Jerry
Guest
I'm not sure what to make of that - is it some Suzy style food poisoning plot on a country-wide scale?
Funk
Guest
He was charged down twice during the last game and one of them was by Horwill.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Wazza, you will recall his falcon effort kicking straight into Horwill at the start of the second half. This gave the AB's a scrum & great field position which effectively started there comeback. Genia obviously more than made up for it and was brilliant every where else. I just would like him to be more selective with the box kicks.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
WB I don't think his box kick has been costly this year and the beauty of him having and allround game is that he every now and then shapes to box kick then runs, catching out a seagulling forward and with Samo and Higginbotham knowing him pretty well he has a big man running alongside.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
yep agree the Box kicks need to be curbed, that is his only weakness. He did it in the Super 15 Final and again last Saturday. Dingo needs to reign this in. Genia would have to be the form halfback in World Rugby at the moment. Du Preez hasn't been in great form form this season for the Bulls however has been clear cut number 1 for the last 4 years. I would wait till after the World Cup before annointing the Number 1 halfback. Weepu and Cowan ( whoever starts ) will have something to say about this also. I rate both guys.
Jerry
Guest
Last two years? No. This year, yes. Last year he was fairly ordinary in the TN. Weepu & Cowan both outplayed him back then. This year he's stepped up another gear and the only genuine contender for 9 in a World XV (FDP) has been off his game.
PeterK
Guest
very correct, the box kicks are Genias weakness. First of all they are predictable, second he does far too many of them. Yes he takes too long at it. The other team will be offside a lot of the time and Genia doesnt look or notice they are offsdie, so he gets charged down too often. Even worse is if he does notice they are offside and he still box kicks.