Videos Live Scores Podcasts Opinion Interviews Business of Sport Inside Story Football Cricket Tennis Formula One Golf NBA UFC UAE Racquet Sports Fitness

Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia says he is ready for the Springboks’ physical onslaught

Alex Broun

14:58 07/09/2018

Wallabies scrum-half and Queensland Reds legend Will Genia knows exactly what is waiting for him when he runs out on to the hallowed turf of Suncorp against the Springboks.

“They try to bludgeon you,” Genia told Sport360 from Brisbane.

“When you play against the All Blacks it’s the speed and the tempo of the game but with the Springboks – one thing I remember from playing against them is just how physical it is.

“Once they start getting on top of you physically they can certainly hurt you.”

After two tough losses against New Zealand, and the end of a 16th straight unsuccessful Bledisloe Cup campaign, Genia could almost be excused for feeling a little relieved that the All Blacks are in the rearview mirror.

But the now Melbourne Rebels No9 says he will prepare no differently than if he was facing the world champions.

“I can only speak on my behalf,” says the 92-Test veteran says, who will take to the field on Saturday at 14:00 UAE time. “But the thing is for me it’s a Test match, regardless of who you’re playing – and (we’re) coming up against traditionally one of the best teams that play the game.

“For me it’s a big Test match whether it’s the All Blacks or South Africa, England, whoever it is – I certainly don’t approach it any differently and it doesn’t feel any different.

“When you play against the All Blacks there’s always that cap hanging over your head that you haven’t won the (Bledisloe) Cup in 16 years but in terms of the match itself and approaching it any differently, it’s definitely not.”

Genia is man-handled by Coenie Oosthuizen

The Wallabies and Springboks could not be closer matched currently, with the teams unable to be separated in both Rugby Championship matches last year – a 23-all draw in Perth followed by a 27-all draw in Bloemfontein.

“I think it displays where both teams are at in terms of regeneration and building,” agrees Genia.

“They’ve obviously had to have a number of new guys come in as well to their squad.

“You look at the World Cup in 2015, there were a lot of older stars (Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger and Bismarck du Plessis to name a few), now there’s a lot of new blood coming in who are fresh in the international arena.

“So I think it’s a very good indication of where both teams are at.”

The 30-year-old has some great memories of playing against the Boks, including his second Test, which was played against South Africa at the picturesque Newlands in Cape Town.

“I was honestly just so amazed by the atmosphere,” he recalls.

“I was 21-years old and I couldn’t believe I was so lucky just to be there to be playing against guys like Victor Matfield, Bakkies (Botha), Bryan Habana.

“I remember speaking to Matt Giteau before the game and just saying to him I really want to get out on the park and get into it. I remember getting 15 to 20 minutes (he came on for Luke Burgess as a second-half replacement in the 55th minute) and I think I handled myself okay.

“I remember thinking ‘I can actually do this. I can handle myself at this level. I can make it.’

Genia in just his second Test, played against the Boks in Cape Town in 2009 – David Pocock is in the background and Bakkies Botha

“So it was a pretty significant game on top of the fact that you’re in Cape Town, you’re playing the Springboks at this amazing stadium with this incredible atmosphere.”

His favourite memory however of playing against the Springboks is not the David Pocock-inspired victory in the quarter-finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It was his first-ever Test start, less than a month after that game in Cape Town, at his favourite ground.

“My first international Test match start was actually against the Boks at Suncorp in 2009,” he says. “So that would be the one I remember the most.

“It was my first start and I ended up with man of the match that day (so) it was certainly something I won’t forget.

“It was one of those games where I don’t remember being nervous at all. I just remember thinking ‘I want get out there and do what I do’.

“I felt like I belonged because the group (captained by George Smith) made me feel that way.

“It was a really special day, Suncorp was my home ground, there was probably no better place to have my first international start.”

The Springboks are also close to Genia’s heart as they once boasted the player who the 2011 Super Rugby winner regards as “the greatest half-back of all time” – Fourie du Preez.

Will with the great Fourie du Preez (on right) in the RWC 2011 quarter-final

“He’s the one I think is the best ever, without question,” enthuses Genia. “And not just in South Africa, ever.

“He’s the guy I admired greatly as a young half-back coming through, and someone I felt I could base my game around.

“He was the complete half-back who had everything – he could pass, he could run, he was a bit of a playmaker, he managed to control the game, more often than not he always made the right decision.

“Coming up against him, (which he did seven times in his career) was a thrill but it was also an incredibly tough ask – not just for me but for any Wallaby team that I was part of.”

Wallabies fans have cause for optimism on Saturday as the man affectionately known as “Sanchez” has played the Boks five times in Brisbane for four wins and just one loss.

He also scored one of his two tries against the Boks in Brisbane, in 2010, darting over from close range in the last five minutes to put the gloss on an impressive 30-13 victory.

Papua New Guinea-born Genia shares the positivity about bouncing back post-Bledisloe.

“The results (against the All Blacks) were incredibly disappointing,” he acknowledges. “But it’s all about perseverance.

“We love what we do. We feel so grateful and so privileged for what we are able to do and representing our country.

“It’s never lost on us how important that is, so we always make sure we are as well prepped as we can possibly be to play and that certainly is going to be the case for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.

“There’s obviously going to be pressure on us to perform and to win and to get some results, but no more than the pressure that we put on ourselves.

“So we’re looking forward to ripping in and making sure that we play some good rugby and get some results.”

More from international-rugby

ONE Friday Fights 58: Prajanchai bids to become a two sport world champion

ONE Championship three-weight king reacts to praise from UFC champ Islam Makhachev

ONE166: Qatar – Anatoly Malykhin makes history on incredible night in Middle East

ONE 166 Qatar: Amir Aliakbari impresses on otherwise tough night for Middle East fighters

ONE 166: Qatar card made official as key fighters pass hydration and make weight

Video: Press conference gets heated ahead of historic ONE 166: Qatar showdown

Most Popular