STILES REJECTS GENIA WAS SNUBBED BY REDS
QUEENSLAND Reds coach Nick Stiles has denied that the Super Rugby club turned down the chance to sign Test halfback Will Genia for next season.
It was reported yesterday that the Reds said “thanks, but no thanks” to Genia, who wants to come back to Australia and is being encouraged to do so by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
Genia, 29, is tied to French Top 14 club Stade Francais until the end of 2018.
Stiles, when interviewed on radio yesterday, denied the Reds had knocked Genia back but he was unavailable later to elaborate.
A QRU spokesman said: “The QRU never discusses matters relating to player contracting.”
The Reds are close to maxing out their salary cap and already have three halfbacks on the books in Nick Frisby, James Tuttle and Moses Sorovi.
All three are seen as longterm prospects.
Any deal to bring Genia home would be dependant on a sizeable Australian Rugby Union top-up.
But since he already qualifies to return from overseas and play for the Wallabies under the socalled Giteau Law – having played 75 Tests – there would be less incentive for the governing body to meet his demands.
Genia left the Reds in 2015 and initially signed a pre-contract with English side Bath but instead moved to Stade Francais on a threeyear deal.
He is believed to be one of the highest paid players at the club.
Cheika described Genia as a near certainty to be picked for June’s Tests against Fiji, Scotland and Italy.
“I think he’s very eager,” Cheika told Fox Sports’ Kick and Chase program on Tuesday night.
“I asked him about maybe wanting to have a break and he’s more knocking the door down to come back.”