Australia defeats South Africa in Tri-Nations in Brisbane
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
Jim Tucker

September 06, 2009 12:00am

AUSTRALIA'S young bravehearts chopped down South Africa's world champions last night at Suncorp Stadium with a massive 21-6 upset that revived rugby with attacking panache and character.
The youngest of the Wallabies, 19-year-old James O'Connor, iced a Tri Nations win to end a four-Test losing streak by bolting over in the closing minutes. The crowd erupted and the stodgy fare so often fed the fans this year was punted into touch. This was a massive watershed moment from a side with an average age of just 23. They transformed from nearly-men to giantkillers.

Halfback Will Genia had an excellent game in his first starting Test. Flanker Rocky Elsom was a mighty force up front and a steamrolling run in the second half got the Wallabies' momentum going. The sea of gold in the crowd erupted with a roar when the Wallabies showed their intent to run from the outset.

Flyhalf Matt Giteau threw a long, audacious pass across the posts metres out from his line. Centre Adam Ashley-Cooper speared 40m upfield and the flurry which followed gave Giteau the chance to slot a penalty goal for 3-0. The Wallabies looked metres faster and had far more space to operate. Much of it came from new spark Genia doing what dumped halfback Will Burgess too rarely executed slick passes hitting his playmakers and forward runners.

The 9-6 first half did not produce a try put there were still pulsating raids from both sides and a zest to the play that the fans latched on to. There were four clear try chances, two apiece, in the first 40. Wallaby winger Lachie Turner was barrelled in the corner after Genia had created room with a blindside dart while a trademark Giteau glide saw him into open space just 10m from the tryline. Winger Bryan Habana cut down both Wallabies with superb try-saving tackles. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had promised the midfield defensive bloopers of Perth a week earlier would be fixed. They weren't, thanks to the supreme skills of Bok inside centre Jean de Villiers. He sliced between Giteau and Berrick Barnes and a try to centre partner Jaque Fourie was only stopped by the scrambling defence of Drew Mitchell, O'Connor and Ashley-Cooper. On halftime, O'Connor made another strong grab on replacement Adi Jacobs. The Boks ground their teeth when flanker Heinrich Brussow was called back when his dive for the line came off a forward pass. The energy in the youthful Wallabies line-up was positive across the field. Fearless hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was forced off after 32 minutes with rib damage but not before he had caused damage of his own, smashing Fourie du Preez and Brussow with low tackles. Wallabies prop Benn Robinson clearly had Springboks hooker-turned-prop John Smit in trouble at scrum time.

Smit was forced to pop out of the scrum when Robinson drilled under him. Just as scrum doctor Alex Evans had predicted, Smit's novice technique was exposed.

Im so Proud of Him!! Trupla mangi!! Wanbel Niape!!

Yipppppeeeee!!! He's a wicked embassador!!!

Awsome act of PNG talent...trupela foi...

Courier Mail

Monday September 07, 2009 12:00am


WHERE there's a Will, the Wallabies can now find a way.


The best indicator that Australian rugby will get some permanent lift from their bossy little general with the slick pass is that he doesn't feel like he's already conquered Mt Everest.

Will Genia's feet were still firmly on the ground after his major role in the 21-6 overthrow of South Africa that transfused the code with the most exciting spectacle of the Tri-Nations.

"Everything clicked for the team. I've won the right to work even harder to make sure I'm consistent every week," Genia said after being cheered from Suncorp Stadium.

Those likening Genia's arrival to a young George Gregan in 1994 should remember that Gregan was out of the side within 12 months to work on detail in his game.

Genia, 21, was the first to credit the high-powered pack and the Benn Robinson-led scrum in front of him for making his first Test as a starter such a success.

"We all did what we wanted. We played it up-tempo, we tried to run them off their feet and didn't stop until the whistle," Genia said.

His quick-tap dash to the tryline in the second half would have made it a fairytale but for the video ref ruling the ball had been dislodged.

"The boys were all over me asking and I told 'em: 'Yeah, I'm pretty sure I got a bit of downward pressure with the forearm'," Genia revealed.

It was the simplicity of a good, calm pass that gave the Wallaby backs extra metres in which to operate.

Yay Genia.....trupla upcoming Rugby Union Champion in the making...
Mangii you just makim mi a proud PNG that night...I'm always proud, but mi go extra time ol tok png heritage blo....

Keep it up Will....Your the next best thing!

Trupla FAN lo Brisbane

That made me LIE to the guys sitting next to me that he was my nehpew...

Tasol nogat mi strongpela TARI lo Brissie ya..

Will, Because of you that night na ol white lain baim planti beer blo mi..

IM PROUD OF YOU SON..

Highlands mangi fit natin

Trupla MAhn! I was impressed with his first game.

He's the man. Will am so proud of you.. PNGians let's salute him!!

Yipppppeeeee!!! He's a wicked embassador!!!

To Will Genia, I am proud to know that you still have very strong ties with you home country... Im proud to be a PNGean with a champion colt.

To IGIRI WANDALU (above) you trupla man, If im in brizzie Id like to have a beer with you (in fact many beers)

Olsem sampela taim, yumi con liklik...HEHEHE

Anytime...mi wok lo toowong

Honest he made me a proud sister!! Highlands full force support long you yah!!

Igiri Wandalu, txtim me bai yumi drin bia long sarere long Roma park na sikan, Namba blo mi: 0432180838

Sorry to ask but who is Will Genia? Mipla sampla ino save ya! Pls dont bite my head off, I only want to know. I will give him my support by all means but what does he do and where in PNG is he from? Olsem mi askim tasol, noken belhat eh!

mangi abau kam skul lo hia na ol queensland reds kisim em lo pilai rugby. nau em kamap scrum half blo ol wallabies.

FOR THE SO CALLED AUSSIE PNGS PRODUCE KIDS TO PLAY LIKE GENIA.I HAVE SEEN SOME OF THEM INTO DRUGS N ALCOHOL,WAT A SHAME N WAIST.
SURE HE IS THE NEXT GEORGE GREGAN

OF COURSE....OF COURSE....THE NEXT BIG THING..THE NEXT GREGAN

Will Genia is the son of KILROY GENIA,the brother of the late PNG MP Mr Jack Genia who passed away in 1993..all from ABAU district in the central province ...

Thanks guys! Mi klia nau who Will Genia is. Yeah! full support!!!! wanbel na laikim!

Kilroy Genia was a former Foreign Affairs Minister and I think he lost his Abau seat to Dr Puka Temu