Will Genia

The announcement was made yesterday evening following a successful clinic program held at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.

Genia’s appointment is a step towards building the code of rugby union in the country. Capital Rugby Union will benefit greatly from this but even more so, it is a welcome contribution for Will who made the name for himself in the code.

CRU President, Kori Chan said the visit by Genia who represented the Wallabies on 110 occasions and Matt Giteau , 103 caps will conduct coaching clinics for selected men and women players as well as coaches and officials tomorrow.

They will be joined by Aiden Toua who now resides in Port Moresby.

“A coaching clinic with selected players both men and women from the 10 clubs affiliated to Pepsi CRU will be held today from 6pm to 7.30pm under lights at the Sir Hubert Murray stadium at Konedobu,” Chan said.

Genia was featured on the 9th episode of Pacific podcast Vosa on April 7^th alongside World Bank’s health expert, Dr Edith Kariko in PNG, and Francyne Jacklick-Wase of Marshall Islands’ health sector. 

Vosa host Arieta Rika spoke to Genia regarding hesitation and misinformation on vaccine in PNG. Genia insisted that combating misinformation is key.

Genia, whose brother in Port Moresby had recently contracted COVID-19, is focused on the complexity of combating misinformation in Papua New Guinea.

Genia's first game in the blue, white and red of Melbourne will be against the Reds at AAMI Park, a role reversal Scott Higginbotham knows all too well.

Genia wasn't shy in dishing a few sledges Higginbotham's way when the No. 8 took his talents south in 2013 and the new Reds skipper cheekily suggested he may repay the favour.

"Probably not the same (level of) lip as when I wear I was wearing the red, white and blue jersey, to be honest," Higginbotham said with a laugh.

"It's just great to see Will back playing.

Genia was long adamant Queensland was his preferred destination for an Australian return, but with three halfbacks already on their books, the Reds could not accommodate the cost of their former nine.

"It was a simple decision because it didn't work out in terms of being accommodated at the Reds," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"So, I could've waited and waited until the 31st of December but I just decided to make a call and I'm pretty happy with my decision, pretty comfortable."

Genia had one of his worst games in recent memory, with two errors that led directly to Scotland’s opening tries, one an errant pass that led to Tatafu Polota-Nau throwing an intercept and the other a charge down that put Finn Russell over.

“I was responsible for 14 points there with a poor pass and a charge down which was quite big in terms of the result of the game. So, I take responsibility for that and it's obviously disappointing.”