Dropping Genia: case for and against

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WILL Genia is regarded by many as the world's best halfback but he's been dropped for the Wallabies clash with Argentina in Perth on Saturday night.

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His demotion to the Wallabies bench for Saturday night's clash against Argentina in Perth - with Brumbies No.9 Nic White promoted to the run-on side - has sparked plenty of reaction.

Is it the right call? We look at the case for and against dropping Will Genia.

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Why dropping Will Genia could be the right call

Former Wallabies skipper Andrew Slack (on Fox Sports News):

"In terms of form - and I'm sure Will would be the first to admit it - if his name was Joe Blow everyone would be out saying `we've got to get rid of this halfback' because he just hasn't played to his ability in the last three games.

He was monstered a bit in the opening game against the All Blacks and I reckon there was a bit of offside there.

But I think potentially the confidence has been dented a bit and he's just not the weapon he has been and potentially he does need a rest. He's had a big season, he came back from a knee reconstruction last year, and just the last couple of weeks it's not been the real Will Genia.

The thing that (Ewen) McKenzie has up his sleeve which the Australian coach hasn't in the last year or two is a quality replacement. Nic White is a very good little No.9 and so in that sense you lose a little bit but potentially it's a risk worth taking.''

Why dropping Will Genia could be the wrong call

Daily Telegraph rugby writer Iain Payten:

DROPPING a halfback like Will Genia on form after his forwards got bashed up in Brisbane is a bit like punting your leg-spinner after a top-order batting collapse. And your leggie's name is Shane Warne.

There may be an ounce or two of logic behind Ewen McKenzie's decision to bench Genia and play Nic White against Argentina, but it still doesn't outweigh the kilograms of common sense behind sticking with the Reds no.9.

Yes, Genia has looked a fraction off his best, and has failed to produce the running form this year that best indicates when the Wallabies are humming.

There's a pretty good reason, though. The Wallabies aren't even close to humming, and a halfback playing behind a spluttering engine room is rarely going to look anything other than pedestrian.

They'll never admit it publicly but the fly-boys out in the backline know they only look good when their forwards allow it.

Space in attack flows directly from strong ball carries in the tight, and when back-peddling defences are compressing and/or fracturing.

Sniping halfback runs are never going to catch opposition defenders off guard after the bad guys have dominated the previous collision and are well set again, with teeth snarling.

Dropping Genia would make sense if McKenzie had put a broom through his forwards first, indicating a collective responsibility for the Suncorp debacle that included - but not isolated - the halfback. The message he wants to send Genia is diminished when no-one else cops a bullet for the same crime.

Even still, benching the highest quality player in your side - regardless of wavering form - is always a huge gamble for a coach. Particularly one who is 0-3 in his Test career.

In Test rugby, you need as many world class players in your side as you can muster. Genia is one of a small number in McKenzie's stable, and is arguably the only one who'd be picked in a World XV.

He has repeatedly been the saviour for both the Wallabies and Queensland in recent years, and while his form is quiet, determining a new halfback is a better bet than Genia re-finding dominance in Perth is a big call by McKenzie.

But it's not just form. Surrendering Genia's experience is a big gamble, as well.

Against the Pumas, playing with nerve and discipline are almost more important than bringing the team rolling out a sparkling A-game. The Pumas are a team who want to rattle you away from your gameplan, physically and mentally. Lose the plot and you'll lose the game. The final siren comes around very quickly against Argentina.

The Wallabies almost lost both home and away Tests to the Argies, but Nathan Sharpe's composed leadership helped the Wallabies stick rigidly to the basic gameplan and get home.

Ben Mowen is a good captain - and Nic White a very fine halfback - but you have to wonder whether there's enough old heads in the Wallaby side to spread that calm amid the helter-skelter of a clash against the Pumas. Time will tell.

The upside - and potentially McKenzie's hidden reasoning behind the move given TRC is gone anyway - will be Genia's reaction.

The Queenslander is a fiercely competitive animal, and will be burning about his very public axing. When he trots on to the field in the 55th minute, expect a response. The Pumas pack may suddenly become a secondary concern for Wallaby forwards.

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