There’s a way for Will

Wallabies’ trial gives rusty Genia the chance to warm up for All Blacks

Backline general Will Genia is glad to be one of the big beneficiaries from the Wallabies’ hastily arranged trial match.

Without tonight’s trial in Sydney, Genia faced going into the August 18 Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks having not played for two months.

For Genia it will he his first match since suffering a broken arm in the second Test against Ireland on June 16.

The 90-cap halfback is no stranger to tackling high-stakes Tests without recent match preparation, and he has shown he can handle it, but he definitely prefers this alternative.

“I was put into that situation when I came back in 2016 for the first Bledisloe Test,” Genia said. “I missed seven months, I went straight into starting and played 80 minutes and I feel like I handled myself pretty well,

“Then likewise (this year) against Ireland I think I missed maybe six weeks and went straight in, and it felt like I played pretty well.

“With my body I know how to make sure that’s it’s right to play. It’s more a case of just getting stuck into training and finding a bit of rhythm, so this game we’re playing on Friday will definitely stand me in good stead.”

Genia has no doubt the trial will benefit all involved, given the gap since the end of the Super Rugby regular season.

“I think the biggest thing is just practising what we’re going to see in terms of what the All Blacks will throw at us in game-like intensity,” Genia said.

“Because as much as you can do it in training, it’s never going to replicate what it’s going to be like in a game.”

Genia’s former Queensland Reds teammate James Slipper will turn out for the opposing composite side in his first hitout since serving a two-month suspension for drug use.

Reece Hodge has been given a chance to claim the vacant Wallabies outside centre berth for the Bledisloe Cup, named by coach Michael Cheika to start there for the Wallabies in the trial.

Hodge will line up in a backline featuring four Melbourne Rebels teammates - Genia, Billy Meakes, Jack Maddocks and Marika Koroibete, plus young Queensland five eighth Hamish Stewart and Brumbies fullback Tom Banks.