April 30 (Reuters) – Wallabies playmaker Will Genia has made
a stunning U-turn by deciding to re-sign with the Queensland
Reds two days after the Super Rugby team announced he would join
Western Force next season.
The Reds said in a statement on Monday Genia had signed that
morning until the end of 2015, scuppering the Perth-based
Force’s bid to recruit the 24-year-old scrumhalf at the eleventh
hour.
On Saturday, the Reds had announced that Genia was leaving
the team at the end of the season to play for Force after not
being able to provide a competitive enough offer.
Genia said he had been set to leave but had a change of
heart over the weekend.
“I always maintained a strong desire to stay in Queensland
with the Reds, however, I also received offers from both here in
Australia and from overseas, and I considered my options,” Genia
said in the statement posted on the Reds’ website
(www.redsrugby.com.au).
Genia said he had even told the Reds’ title-winning coach
Ewen McKenzie after their game on Friday he was set to leave.
“Ewen asked me after the game on Friday whether I was going
to be staying with the Reds and I told him I was going to join
the Western Force at the end of the season,” he added.
“But when I considered my options over the weekend I
realised it really didn’t sit well with me and my heart was in
Queensland and that’s where I want to play my rugby.”
Genia scored the match-winning try in last year’s final
against the Canterbury Crusaders to seal the Reds’ first title
in the competition’s professional era and has been a key player
in the formerly struggling franchise’s revival.
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