Will Genia’s post interview comments with Rod Kaefer last night provided an interesting insight into the mood of the Wallabies camp.
For those of you who missed the interaction, the ever ‘analytical’ Kafe asked the Wallabies captain:
“Not a good night for you personally, but a good one for the team?”
To which Genia replied: “Are you having a dig at me mate?” (or words to that effect).
It was awkward and confrontational, and prompted Genia to (rightly) apologise for the incident at the end of the interview.
However I don’t think it was just the frustration at the injury he had sustained speaking. I think that the media in Australia are really getting to this Wallabies team.
I myself, an avid Wallabies supporter for many years now, found myself frustrated by the continual negativity about the team that kept coming from the Fox sports team.
No one likes to hear that, and a strong word must be had with certain prime offenders – Greg Martin’s comments about Kurtley Beale under the highball are particularly resonant on my mind.
The constant barrage of criticism is weighing heavily on the shoulders of these players, and one can’t help but think that it has really affected the mojo of the Wallabies.
How difficult must it be, enduring the scrutiny of every man and his dog week to week?
While some may say it is the price to pay for the pay packet and in the professional game, the reality is that the forums for criticism have proliferated, and in this regard anyway it seems acceptable for all and sundry to continually criticise and lambast the Wallabies.
I’m not sure that this is helping the Wallabies. It was extremely sobering to see and hear the clear distaste in Genia’s tone when fielding questions from Kafe.
The Wallabies have their backs up – and I’m not sure I like it.
Some final comments from the game last night, I thought the Wallabies played exceptionally, in the tight and the loose.
Their forwards play was dominant, while their lineout continued to be poor (Polota-Nau, and the almost solitary use of Nathan Sharpe, must be addressed).
Berrick Barnes, while a good kicker, continues to disrupt the balance of the backline and players like Beale are rarely seeing the ball because of him.
Finally – welcome back Quade Cooper! This was his best game for a long time, and he seems to save his best performances for the Africans. A strong, solid performance from him, punctuated by his defence securing the win for the Wallabies.
Well played boys!
cody
Guest
He is up himself and thinks he is Gregan and needs to be aloof. Pretty sure he doesnt socialise much with his Reds team mates, did not attend any of the end of season festivities, was not sighted.
SkinnyKid
Guest
''the whole “…mate”, “…mate” stuff is very disrespectful to a highly respected former Wallaby.'' Strange
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I fully agree with this and thought that the commentary team seemed to be willing the team to lose, and revelling in their mistakes. They came across as almost disappointed when the team won. I'm not saying a commentary team should be biased towards their own country, but doing them down and sounding as if they hope they lose is too far in the other direction.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Well uummm WE ALL KNOW that the Wallabies have NOT being consistent in quality intelligent proactive play/tactics for quite a number of years (10-15) -so any criticism is surely deserved and IF I WERE YOU I'D WAIT UNTIL THE 2ND OR 3RD GAME BEFORE YOU START RAINING ACCOLADES on a team that has a track record of being content to just LOOK LIKE THEY WANT TO WIN
colvin
Guest
"Not a good night for you personally" .After playing 70 minutes reasonably well and just having seen the winning try scored, although coming off injured with 10 minutes to go Genia questioned whether it was a bit of a dig. Certainly, Kafe didn't frame the question well. Perhaps Genia didn't need to respond in such a petulant way but I can understand him thinking it could be a dig. Because apart from the injury it was a good night for Genia being part of a winning team against the Boks.
JDP
Roar Guru
That is right on the point I think p.Tah. If the Wallabies can weather this tempest, as a playing group they will gain a lot of experience. In my view, this team already has a significant degree more "starch" then previous incarnations of the Wallabies. Coming from behind in Perthfontein should not just be glossed over, it was a fine achievment from our boys.
Albo
Guest
I like to think I am but I'm unsure in this instance which point I'm supposed to be real about...
Billy Bob
Guest
McCaw doesn't "find it difficult" to "give credit" to the opposition. He finds it impossible or immaterial to mention them by name. Maybe his knees are shot?
p.Tah
Guest
For the last few months your team has been blasted in the media and fan forums despite the fact that you've trained and played your guts out. You're stressed with the pressure of weeks of frustration. You've played a tough International Test match. You've just blown your knee and know your season is over. You then have to face an interview. The interviewer asks a question that says you haven't had a good night. To the rest of us, we know he is talking about the knee, but to a team who have constantly been criticized you take it as another criticism. He arced up and then apologized. Give him a break.
Jutsie
Guest
Maybe its supporters who get their knickers in a twist over every little detail of a player interview or press conference that are the precious ones.
Steve
Guest
The Wallabies are rather precious these days though: look at Quade Cooper's 'smart' antics. Genia's is worse though: he should have had the grace to laugh it off or apologise when Kafe explained his perfectly reasonable comment. But as with Cooper, I suppose assuming everyone is out to get you is easier than looking at the reasons why you've been copping a lot of criticism.
SkinnyKid
Guest
Albo - are you for real ?
Blue Blood
Guest
I agree. I only got to watch live so realise I could have missed a pilfer but we didn't spot one. And as it is my old position so it's what I watch most. He was trying hard but wasnt particularly effective at the breakdown. I think he'll get there but I'd rather Hodgson there for his pilfering as we know Higgers and Samo won't do it. Alas he is also on the injured list.
Albo
Guest
... and watching it again I was thinking, even if Kafe was having a crack at him about his game, who responds like that? He made it sound like Kafe walked up to him in the pub and said "How sh** were you tonight?", the whole "...mate", "...mate" stuff is very disrespectful to a highly respected former Wallaby. If he's not careful he'll turn into Harry Redknapp.
Albo
Guest
I have to say that while Genia has impressed me to no end on the field I have always found it hard to warm to him as a person. He comes across rather spikey and arrogant and it does reek of an immaturity and an entitlement. No player should ever feel entitled to his spot and I think that Will to some extent does. Misunderstanding or not it's just a very strange thing to get defensive about. He's also falling into the McCaw trap of finding it difficult to give credit to the opposition. He'll keep growing up but I think we need old heads as Captain, even if they aren't the best players. Players like Sharpie spring to mind.
cantab
Guest
I don't think Kafe did anything wrong at all, its pretty obviously if you sustain an injury which in turn leads to you being out of the game for 6mths Its fair to say you had a bad night, in fact I would go as far as saying it would be one of the worst nights of your life (5% of your career gone, just like that).
El Gamba
Guest
A good article from that stand-point, you did lose me a little with the comments about Kurtley Beale. His inability to own the high ball is a liability and needs to be commented on. Also, our inability at times to clear the ball from our own half. Think back to when we consistently beat the AB's (every now and then) and we had the likes of Latham, Burke, Larkham and Roff who could all go a 60m gain off a no angle clearance kick.
El Gamba
Guest
The position of open-side flanker appears to be evolving again, led by Ritchie McCaw. I was prepared to argue leading into last year's world cup that David Pocock had Ritchie's measure and I would stand by this. However, there are far less opportunities for pilfer's now with the tight five again understanding the importance of not being isolated and most team's attacks seem tofactor this in. Old skills of staying on your feet until support has arrived have come back into vogue with this focus on pilfering. Ritchie has realised this and you will notice how he has added the turnover due to a collapsed maul into his game (i.e. wrapping a player up on his feet then sealing the ball off as the player falls). He has also focussed greatly on his ball running and wasting less energy going for the pilfer at every breakdown. Hooper, with more of a running and driving game fits the newer mould better. I think that David Pocock will adjust, especially now that he has the time to analyse the game. These nuances are the things that make rugby a beautiful game and it shows how good Ritchie really is when you realise how long he has been at the cutting edge of the evolution of the game. We do need to get rid of pedantic rubbish referees though.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Cheers boss
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
To be honest, i didnt find that strange coming from him (Genia). Always find him very 'defensive' when he's interviewed. He has a big ego and sometimes can give attitude to others. wasnt surprised he snapped at this. Imo, he is a bit paranoid to think Kafe would have a go at him in a live interview straight after a game in which he got injured. Immaturity all right. Tbh, I think aussie media are pretty PC and consensual. Some of these guys would get much worse if they were elsewhere.