Wallabies to bench Genia: Martin

[The InnFORCEr]

AAP
September 10, 2013, 12:24 pm


Halfback Will Genia is set to be benched and replaced as Wallabies skipper by No.8 Ben Mowen for Saturday's Test against Argentina, according to rugby analyst and former Wallaby Greg Martin.

The Wallabies have failed to fire in three losses since Ewen McKenzie took over as coach, with the team copping plenty of heat following last week's 38-12 belting by South Africa in Brisbane.

Often referred to as the world's best halfback, Genia has struggled to consistently produce his best form in the six Tests this year, apart from the odd moment of individual brilliance.

Clearly frustrated at his team's error rate, McKenzie faces some big calls for Saturday's clash with the Pumas in Perth.

Martin hinted at some inside knowledge on Tuesday as he declared captain Genia would be dumped in favour of Brumbies halfback Nic White when the team is announced on Wednesday.

And with regular skipper James Horwill still nursing a hamstring injury, Brumbies skipper Mowen could be in line to captain the side.

"He (McKenzie) talked about dumbing things down - maybe they're playing too complex a game plan," Martin told The Grill Team on Triple M radio.

"They've got a Test in Perth against Argentina on Saturday night - they will be dropping Will Genia to the bench and replacing him with Nic White.

"Ben Mowen, playing No.8, will become the new captain of the Wallabies."

Genia's halves partner Quade Cooper is also under pressure after an indifferent performance on his long-awaited return to the starting five eighth role against the Springboks.

"No word on Quade Cooper, but they're thinking about getting rid of him and putting Toomua back at five-eighth," said Martin.

That could produce an all-Brumbies inside back contingent of White, Toomua and inside centre Christian Leali'ifano.

A loss to Argentina on home soil would be calamitous for the Wallabies, whose losing run is costing them fans in the crowded Australian sporting market.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...acing-the-axe/

[Alison]

Good, good and good!

[Stone Cold]

It'd be a good way to shake things up. Genia has been ordinary this year.

I still don't believe a word Marto says though.

[PeterM]

Be interesting to see if Folau plays this weekend and also Stephen Moore

[Alison]

I would bet my house on Folau playing (unless injured!).

Listening to Kearns et al on Sat night, if they'd only gotten the ball to Folau more we'd have won by a country mile!

[jargan83]

Folau doesnt deserve to be dropped

[GIGS20]

Nobody outside Ashley Cooper could be dropped if things were fair, even HB who was clearly behind the other two didn't see any ball of note.

In other news, the series is f@%ked, time to get the knives out and start to build the message of perform or leave. Genia is a good start, since he's been ordinary and nobody expects Ewen McKenzie to drop a Queensland stalwart and Captain of the Wallabies. Just the sort of shock value that is required to shake the team out of some complacency.

Maybe one or two others would be good to ride some pine as well!

[oxleymoron]

Considering that after the RC - there is a third Bleedinsloe then a Grand Slam challenge and the I-ties, gotta start looking ahead.

Bring in Pyle, so we can at least have Fardy, Schatz, Huge Pyle in the forwards.

[GAFFA]

Considering that after the RC - there is a third Bleedinsloe then a Grand Slam challenge and the I-ties, gotta start looking ahead.

Bring in Pyle, so we can at least have Fardy, Schatz, Huge Pyle in the forwards.

Hugh is injury and has just has surgery so be is unavaliable

[jono]

a tah will captain before mowen. or moore.

[PeterM]

Just got the impression from watching training last night with Folau and Moore sitting out the hour and a half I was there that they wouldn't be playing

[Alison]

Really good piece by Brett McKay on The Roar today:

http://bmcsport.com.au/the-roar-um-h...ies-masochist/

[jono]

Really good piece by Brett McKay on The Roar today:

http://bmcsport.com.au/the-roar-um-h...ies-masochist/

no such thing as a good piece on the Roar

[Alison]

no such thing as a good piece on the Roar

Honestly, this one is good! I have a lot of time for Brett McKay.

[jono]

-_-