Stop the infighting, pleads Genia

Wallabies great Will Genia says he’s ‘‘incredibly sad’’ about the state of Australian rugby and has called on the warring factions to come together for the sake of the game.

Genia called time on his international career with 105 test caps to his name after last year’s World Cup and shifted his playing future to Japan.

Back in Queensland, the former Reds star has kept close tabs on the code, which is in dire straits after being halted by the coronavirus crisis at every level.

Rugby Australia has taken a massive financial hit and embattled chief executive Raelene Castle is in the firing line of the player’s association (RUPA) over the handling of pay cuts, while some of the game’s high-profile figures are calling for her axing and removal of the board.

Genia says it’s hard to watch rugby unravel and there needs to be more compassion towards RA in such extraordinary circumstances.

‘‘I feel incredibly sad when you read things like they’re on their knees and in debt massively,’’ the 32-year-old said. ‘‘It’s also sad that you start to see a lot infighting and people attacking each other within the game as opposed to everyone working together.

‘‘In a situation like this it’s easy to point the finger at Raelene and whoever and mismanagement of this and that, but the only way the game can get through this is if everyone works together and looks for solutions as opposed to just playing up problems.

‘‘Just the image of the game – everyone is so willing to throw each other under the bus as opposed to wanting to work together to find solutions.’’

Genia says he was genuinely excited about the Wallabies in 2020, with new coach Dave Rennie taking over from Michael Cheika.