Genia to Force!

[S120]

Wow. Who saw that coming? I certainly didn't. Genia joins Pocock in the West. Could this lead to Quade moving over as well? There were rumours going around that the Force were into him and now that his best mate in Pocock is there WITH his favourite halfback, could it be?

This is a huge coup for the Force. Will attract better players and better coaches now that one of the best players in the world has agreed to move there. Pocock is apparently close to re-signing as well.

Continues the evening up of Australia's Super teams. The Rebels will improve next year with JOC and Beale and other players coming on board, Reds will improve with players back from injury, Brumbies are improving before our eyes and the Tahs will always be there abouts.

The days of Sheehan are over for the Force!

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...at-western-force/story-e6frf4qu-1226341585905

 

[Luigi742]

Awesome news! Now all we need is a world class coach!

 

[Lions1024]

Most close to the Reds were resigned to the fact that Genia was going to leave after this year, but no one expected Genia to leave for the Force. His managements demands were/are unrealistic for the Reds. Negotiations broke down almost immediately (apparently only lasted a few hours). I'm shocked that the Force have been able to accomodate Genia into their cap, he was apparently demanding a 450k+ base contract. Cooper won't be following him, Genia and Pocock would be demanding around 1million+ of the salary cap space alone. In saying that, I wouldn't be surprised if Cooper left.

Although Genia leaving hurts us bigtime, the decision came down to Gill vs Genia and I'm extremely comfortable with that decision. The Tahs in the end really screwed us over and won out bigtime. They threw crazy money at Gill and forced the Reds to overpay him and they've effectively been able to sign the second most promising openside flanker in Hooper and they've been able to significantly weaken their strongest opponent.

The Reds will be fine in the short term. Ben Lucas is one of the best scrumhalves in Australia and he'll finally get the starting spot he's deserved for so long. Frisby is a fairly decent prospect aswell. The decision to let Ian Prior leave might hurt us in the long run. After Lucas and Frisby, the cupboard is bare... We would be relying on Matt Lucas and dare I say Dom Fuller. Wouldn't be surprised if the Reds poached one of Kingi or McKibbin.

 

[Mint Condition]

Big signing. Should help the Force attract a top coach. They'll want Genia to play better than he has so far this year though. He's been taking far too long to clear the ball from the ruck and hasn't been the running threat he's been in the past.

I'm not a huge fan of Sheehan but the Force desperately need a better 10 more than a better 9. Harvey and Stannard are not up to it. There's some big hopes for Kyle Godwin and I think they should be playing him more now to see if he's got what it takes to be starting there next year. I'd be starting Seymour now for the same reason...though I think it'd be better for the Force if Godwin turns out to be better as he's a home grown player. If neither show they're going to be up to it next year then they need to find someone else, probably from overseas.

 

[Mint Condition]

Turns out it's not happening and Genia is staying at the reds.

What an outrageous turn of events. Very poorly managed by the QRU who announced the defection on the weekend.

 

[wce_all_da_way]

OH for ****s sake.

 

[Lions1024]

Turns out it's not happening and Genia is staying at the reds.

What an outrageous turn of events. Very poorly managed by the QRU who announced the defection on the weekend.

You can't blame the QRU. The blame should go towards Genia's management, who demanded way too much initially. As I said, the Reds were resigned to losing him after 1 meeting with his agent. There was a breakdown in communications between Genia and his management.

The Force now really needs to target Quade Cooper. They need a flyhalf and with Genia staying, the Reds have no space in the cap to accomodate Quade. He'll probably go to the Rebels, but the Force should throw the 600k they offered Genia and some more to acquire Quade.

 

[S120]

You can't absolve the QRU of any blame. They put out a media release before it was official.

Nobody can be completely free of fault in this farce.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Poorly handled by all concerned. He clearly hadn't signed a contract with the Force, why the QRU would announce it was bizarre.

Good on him for staying and not taking the money but really, the Force are going nowhere and could easily lose David Pocock as well.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

Will changed his mind by the sound of it.

 

[Lions1024]

You can't absolve the QRU of any blame. They put out a media release before it was official.

Nobody can be completely free of fault in this farce.

Let's not forget that the rumours started from WA and had been circulating before Tim Horans tweet and well before QRU released a statement.

 

[Lions1024]

Poorly handled by all concerned. He clearly hadn't signed a contract with the Force, why the QRU would announce it was bizarre.

Good on him for staying and not taking the money but really, the Force are going nowhere and could easily lose David Pocock as well.

Genia has yet to sign a contract with QRU... No off-contract Wallaby has signed a contract yet and they won't until ARU offer contracts. An in-principle agreement is as official as you'll get this early in the year. The QRU's decision to release a statement is certainly bizarre but it's obvious that they were trying to stay on the front foot (announcing Genia departure and Lucas re-signing within a day).

 

[bullish23]

What an outrageous turn of events. Very poorly managed by the QRU who announced the defection on the weekend.

Really? Reds played it beautifully. They ended up securing Genia when it looked like for all money he was gone.

The last few weeks the reds have shown to be a very professional organisation. Released a very healthy profit, secured a smooth coaching transition when link stated he wanted a different challenge, and now re-signed one of their best players.

Reds haven't been this well run since the days when Terry Doyle/John Connolly were in charge. By far and away the best RU organisation in oz.