Wallabies must plan for life without Genia
Of the seven tests Wallabies halfback Will Genia has started this year and finished without an injury, he has played 90 per cent of the minutes, 506 out of a total of 560.
Although there has been a lot said about the lack of options at No 10 behind Bernard Foley, the Wallabies have developed a similar dependency on Genia in the No 9 jersey.
This coming northern tour is a wonderful opportunity to assess other options here. The Wallabies should treat Saturday’s fixture as Ireland approached the first test of the June series in Brisbane. They tried some new players, lost the game but banked some important dividends to be cashed in at the World Cup.
Accordingly, Jake Gordon should start against the All Blacks in Japan on Saturday, or be given meaningful minutes off the bench.
It really is time to find out what life looks like without Genia or Nick Phipps.
Gordon had an up and down Super Rugby campaign. He started in pole position with the Waratahs but by round 15 he had been, correctly, usurped by Phipps, who brought his renowned work rate to the side.
However, it was not the end of Gordon’s story for the year. Instead, with some decent contributions from the bench when the game had opened up, he brought a reminder of his appeal in the first place – his running game.
It’s been there for a while. In fact, last year, when Gordon first made his mark at Super Rugby level, he looked like one of those players who could add another layer of attack to his side, stressing defences with his direct running game.
One performance in particular stood out – when he exploded off the bench against the Highlanders in New Zealand and caused them no end of problems in and around the ruck area. You don’t forget such promise lightly.
And while his emergence coincided with admiration being shown for his Brumbies rival Joe Powell, there was never any doubt in my mind which one of the players had more potential.
Of course, there is a lot to work on. In the Waratahs’ 24-21 loss to the Blues at Brookvale Oval in early May, Gordon did not compare favourably to the more robust Augustine Pulu, although very few would win in a physical contest with the New Zealander.
However, that is still a question mark. It is underestimated how tough test halfbacks have to be. In June the 80kg Springbok Faf de Klerk actually lifted the 120kg England No 8 Nathan Hughes in a tackle and dumped him on his backside. Gordon’s challenge is to prove he belongs in an extremely rugged world.
For the Wallabies, though, the clock is ticking. If there is a plan for the World Cup, it cannot be to cross the fingers and hope Genia doesn’t get injured.
The Springboks used de Klerk extensively during the Rugby Championship but they had their reasons – with the Sale halfback unavailable for their northern tour they knew they were going to develop others during November. The Wallabies don’t have the same sort of enforced opportunity but it does not mean they should not be looking beyond Genia.
It would be inconsistent with their messaging if they do not. Michael Cheika’s job security, we are told, is strongly linked to the premise that this year’s disappointments are all part of the greater World Cup plan.
That claim will justifiably be met with some scepticism from some supporters.
Yet if it is true, if we are being asked to take some medicine for longer-term results, then let’s start seeing some actual development.
Tom Banks must be getting tired of holding tackling pads. Powell saw the bench just once during the Rugby Championship and even then was required to watch for 80 minutes.
Hopefully, Gordon does not share that fate. The Wallabies cannot afford to turn up to Japan next year and find they have put the house on Genia.