Queensland’s spluttering Super Rugby defence is set for a key boost with clear-headed Will Genia saying he’s ready to show his true colours.
Genia’s new three-year deal will keep him in Australia until the 2015 World Cup, but the benefits will be immediate for the Reds on Sunday when he lines up in a final rematch against the Crusaders.
Last year’s Australian Super Rugby player of the year has struggled for form all this season and he admitted the lingering contract negotiations had impacted on his game.
Genia said there was no coincidence he produced his best display of 2012 in Friday night’s 23-11 win over the Blues in Auckland – just hours after he’d made the decision to sign with the Western Force.
While he performed a stunning backflip on Monday to stay with the Reds, the 33-Test halfback confidently said he expected that form to carry on.
“I’d made my mind up that I was going to leave and that had given me a clear head and taken a weight off my shoulders,” he told AAP.
“It’s no secret why I played well and that was the reason. Now that I’ve put pen to paper, that’s literally gone away and now it’s all about playing as well as I can.
“I know I can play consistently because I’ve done it – it’s not just a one-off.
“I’m just happy. I’m where I want to be and I’m playing for the club I want to and with my mates.
“I know when I play well, it’s when I’m enjoying my footy.”
While Genia is set to sacrifice up to $200,000 per year to stay at Ballymore, he said the pull of the place was immense considering where the club had come from.
The Papua New Guinea-born No.9, who graduated through the Queensland schoolboys system, made his debut under Eddie Jones when the Reds were at rock bottom five years ago.
“I started in 2007 when we could hardly win a game and got belted by 90 points by the Bulls,” Genia said.
“Queensland have invested a lot of time in me and I feel like I owe it to the club and the people here to always give back to them.
“The fans always show their support by not going away when we lose games so why should I turn my back on them because of money?”
