Deans' phone call inspired Genia
A phone call from Wallaby coach Robbie Deans lifted the spirits of injured QR Reds scrumhalf Will Genia as he raced the clock for Australian selection.
The 21 year old playmaker was today included in the Wallabies 30 man Tri-Nations squad nine weeks after he tore a tendon in his finger during a standout two-try performance against the Brumbies in early May.
With a three month recovery period ruining Genia's hopes of being named in the first four Tests, Deans called the Papua New Guinea-born dynamo to offer encouragement.
“He (Deans) just said 'do whatever you need to do to get back - don’t rush back - and we’ll definitely cross paths before the end of the year',” Genia told reporters at Ballymore today.
“That definitely stuck with me. It gave me an incentive to keep working hard.”
Since then Genia has made massive strides in his recovery, but even he was surprised to hear of his selection so soon.
“It’s unbelievable. I was sitting in the office doing a business diploma course and I (was given a copy of) a media release. I read it and couldn’t believe it,” he said.
“I couldn’t study. I couldn’t breathe properly."
Genia said he was already back on the training field practising his passing and the hand had healed well.
“I’ll be right to go in two weeks. I’ve pretty much been in full training for the past two weeks, barring contact.”
Genia was able to share his excitement with younger brother Nigel, who was at Ballymore training with the Queensland Schools team, but had yet to speak to his mother and father.
“Mum is in Belgium and she doesn’t have a phone and Dad’s in PNG in the villages doing a bit of fishing. They have no idea.
“My dad gets back to Port Moresby today so I’ll be able to give him a call tonight, but Mum gets in on Sunday. I’ll probably send her an email, which isn’t as good, but as long as she knows.”
Genia's 2009 Super 14 season started on the bench, ended with an injury, and included a four-game suspension for a dangerous tackle.
Genia said his main focus at the start of the year had been on cementing a starting spot in the Reds, rather than any national honours.
“That was my goal, more so than getting a chance to play for the Wallabies,” he said.
“For me my focus was just playing for Queensland and playing well, consistently for Queensland. I guess the rewards have come.”
Genia pinpointed a change in attitude to his preparation as a key reason behind his improvement - something he wants to work on when the Wallabies enter camp on Tuesday.
“For me it is probably just being around players like Matt Giteau and Sterling Mortlock, and just learning as much as I can to further develop my game and become a better player.”
Genia was one of five Reds to be named, with James Horwill, Berrick Barnes, Peter Hynes and Quade Cooper also selected.
