Champion Queensland halfback Will Genia has announced his retirement after a superb career spanning two decades.
Genia took to Instagram today to announce that he is hanging up the boots at 37.
One of Australia’s finest players of the professional era will continue to be active as a skills coach for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in Osaka but will no longer play for the Japanese club.
Genia was plucked from the clouds by then-Queensland coach Eddie Jones for a Queensland Reds debut in Japan in late 2006.
He was just a teenager of promise without a first grade game to his name, having arrived as a youngster from Papua New Guinea to go to boarding school at Brisbane Boys' College.
That potential and a pass ripped with laser accuracy blossomed into a wonderful career.
He played 115 times for the Reds, including his unforgettable role in the 2011 Super Rugby triumph. His 110th and final Test for Australia came in 2019.
“From walking into Ballymore at the end of 2006 as a kid, to travelling the world chasing a ball, it has been more than I ever thought it would be, so much so that it feels like a dream is all it should be," Genia wrote on his Instagram page.
“Moments in time, experiences shared, lessons learned and memories to last forever.
Thank you to my people. It was only possible because of you. You know.
“Thank you to the teams, my teammates, 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."
Genia would play at three World Cups and score the match-winning try in the 2011 Super Rugby final for the Reds. A Tri-Nations title, a Rugby Championship and a trophy with his French club Stade Francais were also dotted through his career.
In that 2011 final, Genia took off from his own half on turnover ball. He darted inside Dan Carter and Richie McCaw and set sail on a 65m run.
Genia seemingly floated on a chorus of 50,000 roaring voices which built into an ever-louder din over the final 15m as the tryline and cover defence converged. TRY!
His partnership in 2011 with flyhalf Quade Cooper was mesmerising. To say they played every game of that season together, from round one to the final, seems implausible with the compulsory load management of today.
They did and dominated as a pairing like very few others in the three decades of Super Rugby in the professional era.
Well played Will Genia, a true Australian rugby legend.
Fittingly, Cooper was one of the first to salute his long-time playing partner and mate.
"What a ride my brother. Who would have guessed way back then," Cooper responded on Genia's Instagram page.
"It’s funny because we always seemed to find each other through changes in coaches (who i mostly clashed with) to countries, teams and now the other side. It’s been a pleasure and grateful to have done it with you."
Former Wallabies flanker David Pocock wrote: "Congrats Willy G! One of the best to do it. Love you brother."
Former Wallabies skipper James Horwill went back further than any teammate as a school mate from Brisbane Boys' College.
"Sanche, congrats on an amazing career mate. Who would have thought little pooh bear from BBC would have achieved what you have," Horwill wrote.
"Pleasure and honour to have been involved a small part of it brother - hope you enjoyed the ride."
