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Expert
Joined July 2021
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Former Wallaby Will Genia played 110 times for Australia becoming one of the greatest scrum-halves before his retirement from international rugby in 2019. Genia was also a stalwart at club rugby level with 114 caps for The Queensland Reds before a stint with the Melbourne Rebels. He has since signed a contract with the Kintetsu Liners in Japan.
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The young Wallabies should take plenty from that third Test win over France, having lost a man early against a good, quality team that had started to get the momentum in the series, as they look ahead to the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship.
What about that game. It was pretty much exactly the same as the first one, except the French didn’t butcher it.
The Wallabies were a bit rusty and got caught playing how France wanted them to in the First Test, but it was a good performance from the perspective of fighting back and getting the win.
I rate him very highly. He’s probably better than me 20 years ago!
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
I’m not sure if we underestimate it but it’s certainly very very important. You have to have trust in terms in of delivery and trust in what he’s going to do in pressure situtationswhen the scrum is going backwards and under pressure. Wycliff Palu and Radike were the best I played with.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
We all see the game differently but I think our lineout has been very good this series and Brendan has been one of the better Australian throwing hookers in a long time.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
I think it’s just experience at that level. I use that for newer players at the level. Work at the breakdown is essentially an attitude and effort error. If we’re losing that battle it’s a reflection on our mindset in that area.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
I couldn’t see anything better than seeing Samu come back to Australian rugby. He’d completely transform that team.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
It’s certainly an area he needs to improve on if he wants to be a consistent starter. It’s great to see he’s got the opportunity this weekend.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
I thought we took the majority to take the points on offer. A lot of times the decision is made based on feel during the Test match – the captain and decision makers if they feel they’re on top of the opposition will want to ram hom that advantage.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
You have to have confidence to throw it without so many steps or the big windup. It comes down to technique under pressure.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
I didnt think that was necessarly the problem. I thought he was taking too many steps before he passed and taking a big wind up to throw the ball.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
Hey I think the reason he’s behind in the pecking order is the guys ahead have a point of difference to their games. Tate and Jake are very good runners and attacking players and Whitey is a great game manager and kicker of the ball. At test level you need to have a point of differnce to be successful.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
Nice. I’m enjoying seeing the game from another perspective.
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
Thanks Hugo, looking forward to it
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
Thanks for reading it Harry
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
Cheers Rhys, I have spent some time working with Tate
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
Ha, you have to blame the editor for that
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
Thanks Rhys, looking forward to going again after the Second Test
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
Thanks, Leigh
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
Tate is a good kicker but he needs the opportunity to go out in the start of the game and build in to executing his skills. From my experience coming off the bench can be difficult executing your skills because you’re trying to get into the flow of the game so there’s more pressure. It would be nice to see him get the opportunity to show if he can do that in the No. 9 jersey.
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
I want to see Matt Toomua given another go but as discussed maybe JOC.
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
In years gone by James could have played fullback because he had out and out pace. Now, he’s probably lost a step and doesn’t have the required foot speed for that position.
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
Personally I’ve always prefered JOC at 12. he has the ability to be a very good ball player from No.12 and one of the underrated parts of his game that’s not talked about enough is his ability as a ball runner. I like the balance of Noah at 10 and James at 12 as an alternative combination. Good call.
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
Thanks Jeznez, I really enjoy sitting back and watching the game from an analytical perspective rather than a performance perspective. I enjoyed the writing process and appreciate comments.
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
With regards to Matt, a lot of things that he does will go unoticed as a senior player. Things like his communication, calming prsence and play calling.
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
That’s the sign of a good player, the ability to keep pushing and not let the moment get too big.
WILL GENIA: Why I'd opt for Noah and Tate, and loved Hunter's 'ballsy' play
I reckon they thought they could win it in the first two. The idea being with the series won give the other guys on the fringe a shot.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly