Will Genia remains open to the prospect of linking up with Sam Burgess at Bath next season but it won’t distract him from his Wallabies spring tour duties.
The 26-year-old halfback has been strongly linked with a move to the English rugby club after next year’s World Cup.
Asked whether he would use his time in the UK to further explore the possibility of move, Genia said in London on Tuesday: “We’ll wait and see.”
Pressed on whether the chance to link up with Bath’s star recruit, South Sydney NRL grand final hero Burgess, made the move even more enticing, Genia elaborated slightly on his future options.
“Those sorts of things are a reality,” Genia said.
“Guys are obviously going to look at their options, whether it be here in England or France or elsewhere.
“You don’t come away (on tour) looking at it as an opportunity to meet people and whatnot but you’ve just got to understand it’s a reality.
“Adam Ashley-Cooper, for example, comes out to say he’s going to be looking offshore at the end of next year. Guys who are older and in the position, it’s going to be a little more appealing to.
“All options are open at this stage so we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Australian Rugby Union and new Wallabies coach Michael Cheika face a huge challenge in keeping a host of key stars in the fold beyond next year, with Quade Cooper, Israel Folau and James Horwill among others being linked to overseas moves after the World Cup.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
former openside, is that you !
Birdy
Guest
ABOS; I think that's a little too pessimistic. The English authorities will allow one or two marquee players to be signed per club, but are very much on the case that the flavour of the English club competition must remain, which is why players who leave for France aren't selected for England. Given that there are 12 English Prem clubs the talent will still be spread more thinly than Super Rugby and while the standard will improve it will still be a notch below (although the gap is closing). France is a different case in that a handful of clubs (Toulon being the obvious example) will snap up everyone that becomes available. This is already hurting the French national team, but also the Super 14. There are some one-sided and dull games in that competition and if the gap between rich and poor grows even wider the overall standard of the league may even drop. Super Rugby undoubtedly faces major problems and challenges, but I don't think its collapse is as inevitable as you suggest.
SandBox
Roar Guru
Australia is the victim to NSW filth. Enjoy your hollow victory
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
The Bath coach went to a Reds game with Leroy Houston this season and talked with Genia and I heard that it went well. Thats what I heard and then months later these stories started surfacing. I dont think its a done deal but from what I heard, an agreement was made. How reliable this info is I cant say because they seemed to think it would be announced as official and he would sign. Maybe he has signed, who knows but I wouldnt worry about it too much. I have also heard Horwill is looking to join an Eng club too, Quins or Saracens I think but Im not sure. I have absolutely no doubt big changes are coming in SH rugby, I also believe the damn has burst but because it is a WC year the true extent of the exodus is being disguised. I think JOC, Poc0ck, Horwill, AAC, Folau, Cooper, Beale and many others will leave after the WC or Brazil 2016 and Aus will be selecting overseas based players shortly aftetwards. I think the Aus conference in Super Rugby will struggle, SA will start making moves to leave the Super Rugby format and by 2020 we will be without Super Rugby and world rugby will be centered in Europe where wealthy French and Eng clubs dominate. Even now the best team in the world on paper is Toulon and Clermont, Racing, Saracens, Northampton and Toulouse are not far behind. It could be argued that the new champions cup is THE premier rugby tournement in world rugby and whilst we try desperately to plug holes in our super comp they keep getting stronger.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Perpetual victims. Poor QLD. :-( So sad.
SandBox
Roar Guru
Chris, I have no problem with him as a coach and I feel no need to push anyone from the Reds, as the team as a whole was dysfunctional in 2014. Apart from Slipper, few are standing out recently I do however, believe what the Russians call Maskirovka, has been employed here. Why did Cheika feel a need to make a statement about a 1 on 1 conversation? People beating his drum, such as DL, love bring up his languages or financial prowess. Having travelled throughout many countries, multi-linguists are not that uncommon. Wealth, well California heard all that from the 'Governator' My comment about plan B was as much directed at the entire NSW player power and leadership at all levels. I hope Ceika really is the answer, but right now he is getting the same honeymoon period that Deans and, to a lesser extent, Link had. Time will tell
Combesy
Roar Guru
im a reds fan as well. But this isn't so speculative as ive heard rumours for most of the year that it was an all but done deal.
Qldfan
Roar Rookie
Sick and tired of all the speculative post we're getting these days. This is the last one for me!
Chris Bayman
Roar Rookie
Sandbox. As a non NSW (English) I believe that you are grossly under estimating Michael Cheika, his focus and will to succeed will show that he is a far bigger person than those that denigrate him based on facile, parochial views. I am not happy that he is wallaby Coach because I know that he will sort out the culture and help each player realise his potential. EOYT will be a start point but I am now significantly less confident that the Twickenham date next year is a foregone conclusion - he has always achieved his success (business or Rugby) by focussing on the goal and ensuring that everybody contributes towards it.
SandBox
Roar Guru
All non-NSW players should have a plan B after the recent Coup de Tah