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The Wallabies will be without star halfback Will Genia for their Spring Tour opener against Wales this weekend, after he was denied a release from French club Stade Francais.
Australia had hoped to have the in-form playmaker – one of the stars of the Rugby Championship this year – available for the showdown at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT) but News Corp Australia reports a request from coach Michael Cheika fell on deaf ears.
The 72-Test veteran qualifies for the Wallabies by comfortably clearing the 60-Test threshold for overseas-based players – but Stade Francais are under no obligation to release him outside the official international window and Cheika was unable to convince the French powerhouse to do so.
Genia will next rejoin the squad ahead of their clash with Scotland in Edinburgh, and will be available for the subsequent fixtures against Ireland and France, but may again be recalled by Stade Francais before their season-ending Test against England.
That would likely trigger further negotiations between the Wallabies, Genia and the French club – particularly if a rare chance at sealing the grand slam is still in play.
Wales faced a similar showdown, with high-profile backs George North and Jamie Roberts signed to English Premiership clubs who also didn’t have to make allowances for the ‘out-of-window’ international fixtures.
However, that saga was resolved with Premier Rugby Limited agreeing to release the players ‘as a gesture of flexibility’.
In Genia’s absence, Nick Phipps is likely to deputise in the No.9 jersey with Nick Frisby taking a place on the bench.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.