Queensland Reds halfback Will Genia has today announced he will remain with the Queensland Reds for the next three seasons, just days after the Reds announced he was leaving to join the Western Force.
In a press conference at 11am today, Genia said he had changed his mind about leaving the Reds a number of times and ‘scary thoughts’ about leaving the Reds made up his mind following the weekend’s win again the Blues.
Genia and Reds coach Ewen McKenzie held a press conference at 11am today where the dramatic u-turn was announced.
“I always maintained a strong desire to stay in Queensland with the Reds, however I also received offers from both here in Australia and from overseas and I considered my options,” Genia said.
“(Coach) Ewen (McKenzie) asked me after the game on Friday whether I was going to be staying with the Reds and I told him I was going to join the Western Force.
“When I considered my options over the weekend, I realised it didn’t really sit well with me and my heart was in Queensland and that’s where I want to play my rugby.”
It was speculated last week that Genia had sought over $400,000 a season from the Reds, not including top-up from the Australian Rugby Union.
I has been reported that The Force had offered Genia a massive $600,000 per season to head west.
Genia mentioned in the conference that his mate David Pocock would be disappointed with the announcement. Attention now shifts to the future of Pocock at the Force, with his contract still in negotiations and the prospects of Genia joining him at the franchise now ended.
QRU Media Release in full: Genia recommits to Queensland Rugby
Champion halfback and St.George Queensland Reds vice-captain Will Genia has recommitted to Queensland Rugby until the end of season 2015, subject to ARU protocols.
Genia confirmed his desire to remain with the Reds after revisiting earlier discussions with CEO Jim Carmichael, Chairman Rod McCall and Head Coach Ewen McKenzie on Sunday afternoon and expressing his strong desire to remain in Queensland.
The 24-year-old initially indicated to coach Ewen McKenzie on Friday night following the Blues victory that he would be leaving his foundation Super Rugby club at the end of the 2012 – but has since rescinded any thought of moving on from the Reds.
Genia put pen to paper this morning and will remain in Queensland with the Reds.
“I always maintained a strong desire to stay in Queensland with the Reds, however I also received offers from both here in Australia and from overseas, and I considered my options,” Genia said.
“Ewen asked me after the game on Friday whether I was going to be staying with the Reds and I told him I was going to join the Western Force at the end of the season.
“But when I considered my options over the weekend I realised it really didn’t sit well with me and my heart was in Queensland and that’s where I want to play my Rugby.”
Queensland Rugby CEO Jim Carmichael said Genia’s decision to remain at the Reds was significant to the organisation’s ongoing success.
“I believe that Queensland Rugby made the best, fiscally responsible offer that we could to keep Will in Queensland, and ultimately when he was faced with a final decision over the weekend, Will agreed that the Reds is the best place for him to be for his immediate and long term rugby future,” Mr Carmichael said.
“Will has made a rugby-based decision to remain in Queensland for significantly less money and an offer which we feel will allow us to build a highly competitive roster subject to ARU salary cap protocols – which are largely still to be determined.”
Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie said he was pleased to retain the services of the Wallaby halfback.
“It was disappointing to have to come to terms with Will leaving us and possibly playing against the Reds in 2013, however, we’re pleased he’s decided to choose what’s best for his Rugby future by staying in Queensland,” McKenzie said.
“He’s an integral player in our side, our vice-captain and I’m sure all Reds members and fans will be thrilled he has recommitted through to the end of 2015.
“In the past six months, Digby Ioane, and the Faingaa Twins and now Will have all agreed to stay on at the Reds, not for the best price but for what we offer here in terms of the environment, culture and elite Rugby program.”
Genia is in his sixth Super Rugby campaign with the Reds and has played every minute of the 2012 season since scoring the Reds’ Super Rugby title winning try in the 2011 final at Suncorp Stadium.
He captained the Reds in the absence of regular skipper James Horwill for almost the entire 2010 season and won consecutive Pilecki Medals for the Queensland Reds Players’ Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011.
Genia has been an integral player and on-field leader for the Reds side since being plucked out of the U19 Queensland Colts competition to make his Super Rugby debut against the Hurricanes back in 2007.
Will Genia
Height: 174cm
Weight: 85kg
Date of Birth: 17/01/1988
Place of Birth: Papua New Guinea
Senior Club: Norths
Queensland Caps: 67
Queensland Points: 58
Queensland Debut: 2006 v Japan
Super Rugby Caps: 66
Super Rugby Points: 58
Super Rugby Debut: 2007 v Hurricanes
Test Caps: 33
Test Points: 25
Test Debut: 2009 v All Blacks
Sylvester
Guest
Harry, Swanepoel is in the Crusaders squad. He played for the Canterbury ITM Cup last season. At the mo, he's playing club rugby in Christchurch. Seems a waste of talent really.
Harry
Guest
AH good to see the shiraz has done its work and provided clarity. I completely agree with your sentiments in this post! Wiring the morning after.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
El - Horan is my favourite all time Wallaby, he has a great rugby mind. However I think its a bit of a stretch to say he concocted this very plan, i.e. leaking Genia was signing with the Force to ultimately get him to accept less money back at the reds, all by himself. With all due respect to the great inside centre, he just isn't that smart.
sittingbison
Guest
And now it's nearing midnight, had a glass or three of Shiraz, my final thoughts for the day re: force are its not bad to lose genia, they really need to build from ground up not top down. Been there done that. For his $600k plus RG, Sharpie, Sheehan and Sheps income get the absolute best coach, two or three bright young sparks desperate to prove themselves (one local), and a gun 10 and then a passing 12. Stop aimless kicking and start running the ball like they did under Mitchell (pardoning him for all his other issues), the sea of blue is as aghast as the rest at the aimless kicking. Some say we have a top pack NOW and need quality backs before they expire, but chucking money at mercenaries IS NOT THE ANSWER for the Force - as clearly shown by this new debacle. Thank god it finished now and not mid next season. No more one season "marquees" every single one has been unmitigated disaster!! Get desperate kids and with the seasoned pros like Hosgo McCalman Pocock and sharpie and spanner before them they can become something other than disparate and ordinary.
sittingbison
Guest
No confuscious rock %) Seriously though, only Sharpe, Mitchell and Gits were premium players. The rest were not, kids mostly especially "I'm homesick" Digby. Mitchell and Gits we're not inaugural, only Sharpie. Sharpie is a leg end, the foundation upon which the Force can build history and culture. Sure they have been hopeless in many aspects, but some of the players have shown true grit. Him, pockock, brown, hodgo, spanner, (and i will add shep , sorely cut down by injury but a favourite son no less), these guys have become champion players in a losing team. No mean feat. And sadly misused by the wallabies.
sittingbison
Guest
Like Richard Graham, Hooker, Genia or Cipriani?
sittingbison
Guest
He was "badgered" Herbert?
Lorry
Guest
I don't know why we're talking about player's being 'poached' It's more like the players 'poach' themselves, if that's possible. These days, evidently, playing for the state where you were born is not considered the honour / carrot it once was... That's kind of unfortunate I think, but it's reality... Especially with so many players in Aust Super teams now having been born overseas; why would they care about what state they represent? As long as it doesn't end up like the ugly farce that is European football machinations - players and coaches getting sacked / transferring mid-season. How ludicrous!
Lorry
Guest
speaking of rudeness, where's KOTG?!
herbert badgery
Guest
I might be naive, but I think it's possible that this whole saga may have unfolded exactly as has been reported. That is, Genia reached an in principle agreement with the Force, but before it was executed, he changed his mind. The Force deal wasn't final, and that is why they didn't announce it. It was clearly not in their interests to announce it in any event. Genia wasn't offered any more money by the Reds, he just changed his mind. No doubt the announcement caused intense pressure to be placed on him, and it no doubt worked.
El Gamba
Guest
"The Tim Horan leak apparently came from WA". Ridiculous. The Tim Horan leak was the Tim Horan leak! A lot of respect was lost for him the way the "impartial commentator" laid it on so thick.
Harry
Guest
Leave it up to us to worry about the Reds and their support base. To repeat I sincerely hope the Force prosper. But not at the expense of other states. Its happened once with Queensland in the mid noughties and i hope for Australian rugby's states it doesn't happen again.
The Bone
Guest
He is worth 600k if that meant keeping David Pocock. Pocock is a guy they would have kicked the tin out of his own money. Think about it, he told Ewen afterthe game that he was going to the Force. (He came out and said he changed his mind after the win) No he didnt, he told Ewen he was going West after the win. He changed his mind after some Rich QLDs rang up the REDS or his manager and asked what it would taketo get his to stay and if he had signed
Harry
Guest
Latham came to us cause he couldn't get a run at the Tahs with Matt Burke the incumbent 15. Latham himself has always freely admitted his game greatly improved under the coaching and mentoring he received in Queensland - most notably by Roger Gould during a season of club rugby at Wests. As I said yesterday, you can make excuses about no depth and a short history all you like, but the record of the Force is pretty disappointing. I was very pleased to read a strong defence of WA rugby yesterday which is good. I'd suggest the Force quit trying to poach other Australian team's star players, get a decent coach and concentrate on improving players - something I think they were starting to build but in recent years players like Jones and the young prop have moved back East. Thats a pity.
CraigB
Roar Guru
Chris Latham
sheek
Guest
Hoy, I agree with WQ here. The Force had no choice, they had to get players somehow, & there were plenty of Queenslanders back in 2005 happy to leave a dysfunctional organisation. The ARU didn't help. They basically said to the Force - "We've given you your opportunity, now you can sink or swim". An incredibly indifferent attitude from the ARU. If the ARU had any brains back then, they would have forced (if it came to that) the Tahs, Reds & Brumbies & to give up an equal number of players, & make the transition of the introduction of the Force an orderly one. This didn't happen. Don't blame the Force, blame the ARU.....
STU
Guest
YES kuruki, was never going to leave ;just tricked the reds mgt forsure. would have got homesick like digby and reds couldnt see it
Rock
Guest
sittingbison - the force poached both Digby and Mitchell from the Reds. I think you are getting a little confused.
darwin stubby
Guest
yeah - but Jigs is right though despite how he says it
sittingbison
Roar Pro
No, but it might register at the cash register of Qlds membership. And he has gone from favoured son at both Reds AND Wallabies to an object of scorn and derision, his reputation now in tatters. That might matter later in life.