BRISBANE: Injured Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia has ended protracted negotiations with the Australian Rugby Union by signing a new three-year contract. And he’s hoping that against the odds, controversial flyhalf Quade Cooper will join him.
The 24-year-old Genia, who has played 40 tests for the Wallabies, committed to a three-year deal with the Queensland Reds in April and has since been negotiating with the ARU to confirm the deal.
Under the ARU contracting system, players negotiate with the national body after agreeing to terms with their Super rugby team.
Genia underwent surgery in September after injuring his knee against South Africa in Perth and is expected to be sidelined until March.
“I’m certainly happy that everything is now locked away ... my focus now is on getting the knee right, getting fit and getting back out on the field,” said Genia, who said he considered a lucrative contract in Japan.
“No doubt it’s quite frustrating that it has taken a while, but at the end of the day you have to trust the process and the governing body will do what’s right by you.”
Cooper is set to appear at a Brisbane media conference on Monday to outline his future in the wake of reports he’ll refuse a low-grade, incentive-based ARU deal to take up boxing and play overseas. Cooper, also sidelined following knee surgery, was fined by the ARU after making disparaging remarks about the Wallabies and coach Robbie Deans.
Like Genia, Cooper signed a new three-year contract with the Reds during the Super rugby season but was unhappy with the ARU’s offer.
Genia said he has been in contact with Cooper, who is on holidays, via text message at a time when Queensland officials are acting as mediators with the ARU. Initial peace talks have given the QRU hope Cooper will continue his 38-test career in Brisbane.
“Come Monday all will be revealed to everyone because we’re just as much in the dark as everyone,” Genia said. “I would love for him to stay. I don’t want him to go anywhere else.”
Genia signs 3-year contract with ARU, Queensland
