QRU confirms Will Genia to depart at end of 2015
Queensland Rugby Union today confirmed Will Genia has signed a three-year contract with French Top 14 side Stade Francais.
Now in his 10th season with the St.George Queensland Reds, Genia has amassed 105 Queensland caps and played 58 Wallabies Tests. He has captained both sides on occasion and was vice-captain of the Reds from 2010 to 2014. He will make the move to France following the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which concludes in October.
Queensland Rugby Union CEO Jim Carmichael said: “Will and I have been discussing this for some time and although he has loved his Reds and Wallabies careers, he now wants to experience a different lifestyle and city with his wife Vanessa and their new baby Olivia.
“We’re saddened to be losing this outstanding footballer, leader and person of such quality, however he has our understanding and complete support of his decision, based on his very long relationship with Queensland Rugby.
“We only wish the very best for him and he goes with our gratitude and respect as he moves on to the next stage of his life, both professionally and personally.
“Although Will and I confirmed this decision some time ago he had made it clear to us that he didn’t want anything to disrupt his final season with the Reds and his teammates. As a consequence the QRU is extremely disappointed that the comments made in France overnight have denied a player of Will’s standing in Super Rugby and internationally, the opportunity to inform his teammates, supporters and the admirers he has throughout Australian Rugby, in the appropriate fashion as planned.”
Genia said while it wasn’t an easy decision to make, he thought it was the best thing for his family to make the move following the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
“This has been an extremely big and difficult decision that I’ve spoken to my family and Queensland Rugby about at length,” Genia said.
“Having our first baby, Olivia, has changed my perspective and Vanessa and I decided we wanted to experience life in a different part of the world. I’m thankful for the opportunities the Reds and the broader game of Rugby have given me, but at this stage of my career I decided that it was the right time to make the move.
“I’ve loved my time in Queensland. I love this state and this team and playing at Suncorp Stadium in the Reds jersey are some of my fondest memories in the game.”
Originally from Papua New Guinea, Genia moved to Brisbane as a young teenager to board at Brisbane Boys College.
He joined the Reds while still playing Colts and made his Queensland debut against Japan in 2006.
By mid-2009 he had cemented his position as the Reds’ starting scrumhalf and in 2011 secured his place as one of the modern greats of Queensland Rugby – helping guide the side to a Super Rugby championship.
He made his Test debut in 2009, starting in 50 of his 58 matches in Wallabies gold and captaining Australia on four occasions. He became the 79th captain of Australia when he led the side against the United States at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Will Genia
Position: Scrumhalf
Height: 174cm
Weight: 82kg
Born: 17/01/1988
Place of birth: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Senior Club: Wests
Junior Club: Wests
School: Brisbane Boys College
Representative Honours: Rugby World Cup (2011), Wallabies (2009-), Queensland (2006-), Australian Under 20s (2008), Queensland Under 19s, Queensland Under 19s (2006), Brisbane City NRC (2014).
Provincial Rugby: 105 caps, 92 points, Debut v Japan, 2006.
Super Rugby: 104 caps, 92 points, Debut v Hurricanes, 2007.
Test Rugby: 58 caps, 40 (8T) points, Debut v New Zealand, 2009.
• Played 100th game for Queensland in 2014
• Vice-captain of Queensland Reds from 2010 to 2014
• Helped guide the Reds to their maiden title of the professional era in 2011
• Captained the Wallabies on four occasions, including one match at Rugby World Cup 2011
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