Will Genia, one of the most respected and decorated players in Australian rugby, has announced his retirement at the age of 37.
The legendary scrum-half became the 78th player to captain the Wallabies and wore the green and gold jersey 110 times over a decade-long international career. That makes him the seventh-most capped Wallaby of all time.
Genia played at three Rugby World Cups, including the 2011 tournament where he helped Australia reach the semi-finals against New Zealand. His outstanding performances that year earned him a nomination for the IRB Player of the Year award.
In 2018, he joined an elite group of Wallabies by becoming just the 10th Australian to reach 100 Test caps, a milestone achieved at Twickenham against England. His final international appearance came in 2019.
On Instagram, Genia shared a heartfelt message:
“Thank you to the teams, my team-mates, coaches, teachers, friends and all the wonderful people in the game who helped me, guided me, shaped me, included me, put up with me and made me better. Thank you to the fans for making the game what it is. Finally – thank you rugby for all the joy. It was always the game and then everything else.”
Away from the Wallabies, Genia enjoyed a successful club career with the Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels, Stade Français in France, and most recently, Kintetsu Liners in Japan.
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh paid tribute, saying:
“Will was a world-class number nine who starred on international rugby’s grandest stages for more than a decade. He has the rare distinction of having captained his country and played a leading role in some of his generation’s most famous matches.”
Genia leaves behind a legacy as one of the finest scrum-halves to ever represent Australia – a leader, playmaker, and fan favourite whose impact on the game will long be remembered.
