The thought of playing at altitude doesn’t sit well with Will Genia but it isn’t enough to dent his confidence for what looms as a crucial Test in Argentina for Michael Cheika’s Wallabies.
Eight losses from their last 10 Tests has the coach’s future under more scrutiny as the Wallabies aim to avoid their first Rugby Championship wooden spoon and worst-ever southern hemisphere tournament performance.
Playing 1152 metres above sea level in Salta, against a side that beat them a fortnight ago on the Gold Coast, will naturally present challenges.
But Genia, who penned a heartfelt column apologising to fans after that defeat, is in a better place after their hard-fought effort in the 23-12 loss to South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
“We’re going to win, I’m telling you we’re going to win,” said Genia, who set up a try and scored another in the latest loss.
“We showed a lot of good things in terms of heart and character and determination (in Port Elizabeth), but more specifically in how we want to play the game.
“What let us down was execution errors, skill errors … but there’s a hell of a lot of positives to take out of it.”
Genia wasn’t aware that their next game would be played at altitude but was adamant the Wallabies would get the result they desperately need.
“I didn’t know that,” he said.
“They’ll be difficult. They’re playing a good brand of rugby and it’ll be tough but we’re going to go out there and we’re going to win.”
Genia spread the positivity to five-eighth Kurtley Beale, whose opening-minute intercept passing blunder gave the Springboks a seven-point leg-up.
“It just happened and we just moved on,” Genia said.
“Thirty seconds in, 7-0 down … no one really lost it or got frustrated and we came back,” the halfback said.
“It was a good test of his character and I think he came through it.
“The thing to reiterate to him is we’re doing good things, creating opportunities, scoring plays, we’ve just got to stick at it.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s first-choice hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has been replaced in the squad by Tolu Latu after he suffered a hamstring injury training in South Africa.
Winger Marika Koroibete should be cleared to play the Pumas despite being replaced because he failed a head injury assessment after copping a head knock in the lead up to Genia’s first half try.
Lara
Guest
....where are we playing again....altitude or attitude....whatever.
Lara
Guest
Execution n skill.....lack of....but we will keep our heads high n keep f..king up, because we have fortitude n are totally committed n we believe in our coaches n our system......did Trump say that ?
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Does anybody else find it very telling that the Vice Captain doesn’t know that the next test will be played at altitude? To me it doesn’t say much for planning and communication within the team.
Objective
Guest
I'm no league fan, but can anyone imagine the current Wallabies replicating what the Roosters did on Sunday night? A bloke playing with a busted scapula, another with a cracked bone in his leg, the rest of the team being able & smart enough to cover them and carry out a game plan to the letter? And they have the audacity to say they're improving ?? Time for a total cleanout - on and off the field.
MaxW
Guest
With the way the Wallabies keep talking about their 'resilence' coming back from that early Beale blunder, you'd have them believe they were down 40-0 and came back. Reality check to the Wallabies - you were down 7-0. You still got outscored 16-12 in the other 79 minds and 36 seconds. Having played rugby many times, being down 7-0 at any stage in the game (even if its within 30 seconds) is never a big deal. Games about possession and taking punches and punching back. If you're making it seem like such a big deal trying to 'rebound' from 7-0 I think it shows a lot about perhaps the lack of mental strength of the Wallabies.
Hearditallbefore
Guest
these blokes never learn. They talk a good talk but can't back it up with action. We need a total clean-out starting with the ARU, the coaches and most of the players. There is something rotten in Camp Wallaby.
Old Bugger
Guest
Here's another.....its surprising that his faith is restored because all you need to ask is, where has it been if there's a need, to restore it....??
Puff
Guest
To be fair after the disastrous start to the test and Kurtley’s school boy moment, there was no suggestion that SA was in danger of relinquishing their dominance. The Wallabies offered nothing innovative or new, perhaps kicked a little more and I continue to wonder, will we ever see something fresh and exciting from the coaching staff. Genia’s try offered some relief but he is no-longer that inspirational player from past years. The inside backs maybe no match for the Pumas, regardless of reputations, as they were creative opportunists against the AB’s. Potota-Nau needs to deliver cleaner ball at the lineout although their scrum was almost dysfunctional. If scum practice receives quality time we may discover opportunities in that department not recognized against the Boz. But nevertheless, the Pumas will be thinking about the positive signs they have displayed this year and at home in front of a high octane crowd, not 14k plus experienced at Brisbane. The Wallabies will need to deliver much more that creating opportunities and not showing signs of frustration as been suggested.
puff
Guest
To be fair after the disastrous start to the test and Kurtley’s school boy moment, there was no suggestion that SA was in danger of relinquishing their dominance. The Wallabies offered nothing innovative or new, perhaps kicked a little more and I continue to wonder, will we ever see something fresh and exciting from the coaching staff. Genia’s try offered some relief but he is no-longer that inspirational player from past years. The inside backs maybe no match for the Pumas, regardless of reputations, as they were creative opportunists against the AB’s. Potota-Nau needs to deliver cleaner ball at the lineout although their scrum was almost dysfunctional. If scum practice receives quality time we may discover opportunities in that department not recognized against the Boz. But nevertheless, the Pumas will be thinking about the positive signs they have displayed this year and at home in front of a high octane crowd, not 14k plus experienced at Brisbane. The Wallabies will need to deliver much more that creating opportunities and not showing signs of frustration as been suggested.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Genia, for good ness sake, please put a sock in it. The Wallaby players have their head up their b..ks..e. Your talk is not translating to results and results on the field. Where did this BS come from - "“The thing to reiterate to him is we’re doing good things, creating opportunities, scoring plays, we’ve just got to stick at it.” Not likely - did you see the scoreboard Genia. Over opinionated players with egos too big for their ability. Sorry but you are not cutting it Genia, FFS.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Isn't this more pre-game hype of "what we're gunna do" to be followed post-game with words from the captain lacking any credible analysis and honesty with actual performance? I agree with Genia in that I am liking the brand of footie Los Pumas are playing. I disagree with him about the Wallabies - I'm not liking what I see with their brand of footie, and I can't see all these positives in their game that he is referring to.