Will Genia is yet to don a Melbourne Rebels jersey but is already working with coach Dave Wessels to plot their Super Rugby revival.
The Wallabies halfback is in Edinburgh ahead of their Test match against Scotland but he and Wessels arranged a phone hook-up this week to talk Rebels.
After 114 appearances with Queensland and a two-year stint in France, Genia will shift his career to Melbourne and is already having an impact on the under-performing side.
“I’m talking to him about our game on Friday; he’s investing in our preparation,” Wessels said.
“We’ve got a phone hook-up to talk about a few things around our game so that all the systems and things that we put in place, that the Wallaby guys are happy with when they arrive in January.”
The former Western Force mentor, who is only five years older than Genia, was thrilled to have a player of the calibre of the 87-Test veteran to call on, both on and off the field.
Genia will officially start training with the Rebels in early January.
“I think it fantastic that a guy like Will, with that much experience who is obviously busy with his own preparation for the Test on Saturday is happy to take time out for our team to make sure that our preparation is on track.
“It shows what kind of person he is and that he’s really enjoying his rugby.”
The arrival of the in-form Genia is set to relegate usual No.9 Nic Stirzaker to the bench, although Wessels challenged the 2017 captain to match his incoming rival.
“Nic has to come to training with the mindset that he wants to start and if he does that here’s every chance he does start,” Wessels said.
“And if he doesn’t then we get the benefit of a real quality player coming off the bench and adding value at the back end of the game.”
Brian
Guest
Perth is a complete dump - lived there for 5 years and couldn't wait to get back to Melbourne and civilisation. And if Perth wasn't bad before it's even worse now it's full of bitter and twisted Farce supporters - Go Rebels!
piru
Roar Rookie
Well we all know how much what the ARU says is worth. RugbyWA's version was that (again) they were ignored for over a week with no one returning calls. Interestingly: https://thewest.com.au/sport/western-force/rugby-australia-email-leak-calls-western-force-decision-into-question-ng-b88671827z Seems they simply forgot they'd been in discussions with the Rebels about how they might transfer their licence to VRU and thus save themselves. I mean - they did testify they were 'blindsided'. I think at this point any faith we place in the word of the ARU is really on us - they've shown what they are.
Train Without A Station
Guest
well the ARU are publicly saying that they thought they were still in negotiation with Rugby WA over the matter for one. Rugby WA voluntarily called in administrators, rather than creditors takin legal action for two.
Train Without A Station
Guest
If you know that they have no money for 2018, what sponsors have they got?
jack
Roar Rookie
you also say: "The ARU didn’t push for Rugby WA to be wound up due to failure to meet debts." - statement of fact or opinion? Make it plain what your authority is in this
Bakkies
Guest
Are you sure they aren't under 'consultant fees?'
Bakkies
Guest
Sponsorship revenue ? You have lost it son
Train Without A Station
Guest
I know this because the “missing” funds are detailed under expenditure on annual reports. Spent and missing are not the same thing.
Train Without A Station
Guest
He said one VRU board member essentially had a share in Imperium. There is nothing about what you said that is not legal either. A unit trust is just essentially an ownership structure. Every business has an ownership structure. Unit trust is just a partnership type ownership structure.
rebel
Guest
Correct Bakkies, it's like the Rebels knew what was going to happen all along. Bob will twist it otherwise though.
jack
Roar Rookie
TWAS you make statements as if they are facts. Either own up to how you know this for a fact or admit that this is simply your opinion.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Really. What sponsorship revenue have they got for 2018? Where is that on public record?
Bakkies
Guest
Costs
Bakkies
Guest
So the money hasn't gone missing so where is it then?
Bakkies
Guest
Nonsense TWAS your mate Bill got angry in the press over Rugby WA taking his parasitic mates to court and demanded courts
Bakkies
Guest
The VRU finances are on public record no matter how you defend your mates
Bakkies
Guest
They're aren't perfectly legal when businesses are receiving funds from not from profit organisations that are supposed to be directed to Rugby and as North described in his testimony that certain officials had interests in them
Train Without A Station
Guest
Dragged through the mud? People wouldn’t have even known about past poor decisions if not for the current financial issues. No money has gone “missing”. Past admin has lived beyond their means and due to the legal obligation, passed onto the ARU. No funds have gone “missing” though.
Train Without A Station
Guest
The presence of a unit trust isn’t some amazing smoking gun. It’s a common business structure... And you still have zero idea about the VRU financial situation, no matter how much you try and deflect and insult others.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Which as I point out is a factor beyond just Force vs Rebels in isolation...