One of the potential stars of the 2013 Lions tour to Australia suffered an injury scare at the weekend that looked as though it might threaten to prevent him from facing two of the four Home Nations this summer.
Wallaby scrum-half Will Genia is expected to be a huge part of the Australian challenge against the Lions in three years time after a series of outstanding displays that have seen him establish himself as one of the country’s leading lights.
Genia has been touted as an even better prospect than legendary No9 George Gregan, the now-retired ACT Brumbies skipper who tasted series success against Britain and Ireland’s elite in 2001.
The young pretender has enjoyed a superb season captaining the Queensland Reds but now faces a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury at the weekend.
Genia suffered a grade one-two medial ligament strain in the Reds’ 38-36 victory over the Highlanders and has been ruled out of action for the immediate future.
The 22-year-old finished the match despite the injury, making two try-saving tackles in the process, but could now miss the start of Australia’s summer fixtures.
However, while his predicted absence of three weeks leaves him with little time to train ahead of the clash with Fiji in Canberra on June 5, he should be fine for the two-Test series with England on June 12 and 19 and the following week’s encounter with Ireland in Brisbane.
"I’m the captain and it was the last game of the season and that’s why I stayed out there,” said Genia.
"It’s not as though I had reservations about playing for Australia – it was all about finishing the season.
"It was a painful injury and the strapping didn’t really do too much.
"Physically, I’ll be right for Fiji. I’m disappointed (about the injury) but I’m very happy that it’s not too long.”
