By Lorraine Genia – EM TV Sports, Port Moresby
Following the doom and gloom of last weekend’s test match between the Australian Wallabies and England, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika made his intentions known to recall halfback Will Genia, among other World Cup stars for the Bledisloe Cup series.
Genia missed the three test matches due to a lengthy recovery process after surgery on his knee following the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
While some may question his fitness and form, having played off the bench for French club Stade Francais, however experience and the ability to read and control the game is what Cheika needs.
He may have disappeared off the Australian rugby scene, but he very much remains on the radar and under the watchful eye of Cheika.
Genia is one of four who were evidently missing from the Wallabies during the three test series against England.
But that’s no longer a worry for Wallabies followers. Cheika has delivered the good news, of Genia’s return alongside veteran five-eighth Matt Giteau, and the ultimate backline duo of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell.
But while the grey clouds of query continue to hover with doubts on the readiness of their return, Cheika believes it’s just a matter of getting back into the squad.
The Wallabies poor form during the test match series against England would have a lot to do with the team’s lack of game management, and the struggle of implementing their game plan.
There was also arguably very little to no control or direction in the backline, with halfback Nick Phipps being a disappointment.
But as the Wallabies kickstart their Bledisloe Cup campaign against the New Zealand All Blacks on August 20, there will be the return of 286 test caps in Giteau, Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell and Genia.
