Rugby: Genia sees kicking game as critical

Will Genia sees the kicking game as a critical element against the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

Australian halfback Will Genia sees the kicking game as a critical element in the Tri-Nations test against New Zealand in Auckland, citing the number of damaging broken play runners on both sides.

The Wallabies will pitch a back three of fullback Kurtley Beale and wingers James O'Connor and Digby Ioane against the All Black trio of Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Hosea Gear at Eden Park.

As well, at first five-eighth, both sides have playmakers who are linebreakers in Quade Cooper and Dan Carter.

"Personally, I think it will be massively important," Genia said about the kicking game.

He said the All Blacks scored plenty of points off unstructured play and giving them free rein, whereby they had time and space to return the ball back, would be detrimental to Australian hopes.

"They have quality players who can construct something from nothing," he said.

"From our point of view, we will have to make sure we kick the ball out to make it as contestable as possible."

Genia agreed that there were similarities in style between the Wallabies and the All Blacks, with both sides wanting to play with the ball and being able to make the opposition pay by doing so.

"If you do give guys like Kurtley, Quade and Digby, and likewise for them, guys like Sivivatu and Hosea Gear, plenty of time, they can be very destructive," he said.

"Both sides like to run with the footy and play with a lot of flair, so hopefully it makes for a good game to watch."

Genia is one of eight Queensland Reds in the Australian 22 for what doubles as the first of two matches this year for the Bledisloe Cup, which New Zealand are defending.

He didn't see the Reds' breakthrough title in Super rugby, and their twin victories last month over the Blues at the semifinal stage and the Crusaders in the final, as having much significance in the test arena.

It did provide a bit of confidence, given that the All Black 22 contains 10 players from the Crusaders and three from the Blues.

"But it's a different kettle of fish once you start playing test match footy," Genia said.

"With the All Blacks, it doesn't matter whether they have success with Super rugby or not. They still always consistently perform well - and you could say consistently win - when they put on that black jersey."

- NZPA