Wallabies halfback Will Genia says handcuffs may be needed to stop him playing the full game for the Queensland Reds against Western Force in his long-awaited return from a knee reconstruction.
Genia will hit the ground running, named as both captain and starting halfback in his first match in six months.
But he has been told he’ll play only the first half of Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash at Suncorp Stadium.
“I said they would have to handcuff me at halftime because I will want to get back out there,” Genia said on Tuesday.
“But I have to be smart, build up the endurance. It would be wise just to keep it to 40 minutes.”
Genia’s leadership will be needed more than ever after the Reds suspended gamebreaker Digby Ioane after a weekend incident in a Melbourne hotel.
“He understands what he did was out of line, especially as a senior player. That’s the feeling amongst the group,” Genia said.
It’s an interesting match for Genia to make his comeback in.
Barely 12 months ago he completed a stunning backflip by reneging on a lucrative Force deal and re-signing with the Reds on less money.
In his first game against the Force since that contract saga, Genia has not ruled out the Perth side reminding him in no uncertain times about his change of heart.
“If they do, they do. I don’t really care,” said Genia.
“I’m where I’m happy. And that’s all that matters to me.”
A fortnight after Genia’s sudden change of heart last April, Richard Graham added to the Perth franchise’s pain when he announced he would walk away from the Force head coaching role and link with the Reds coaching staff in 2013.
Like Genia, Graham takes on the Force for the first time in Reds colours.
“I am a competitive person,” Graham said.
“Any time you come against someone you have been involved in you want to win.
“I made a decision for my own reasons and I am happy with where I am at at the moment.”
However, Graham admitted he could not provide much inside information on his former side, now coached by Michael Foley.
“They have made a few changes. I don’t keep in contact with any of the players or staff – what I see is what I will go into the game with,” he said.
Genia returns to the Reds side ahead of schedule after a rehabilitation that Graham believed had made him a better player.
“He was the world’s best halfback before the injury. He has rehabbed better than anyone I have ever seen,” he said of Genia.
“He is probably fitter than he ever was, and partnering up with Quade (Cooper) that will definitely have an influence on our attack.”
Genia admitted his long rehabilitation had been tough mentally and physically but had no doubts he was ready to play.