Rugby: Genia could soon be leading Wallabies

Will Genia is being touted as a future test captain. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - Will Genia's sustained form and strong leadership has test selectors eyeing the Queensland halfback as a potential 2010 Wallabies captain.

And if Genia can guide the battle-scarred Reds to a Super 14 upset of the Hurricanes in Wellington tonight, it will provide a further shake on incumbent Rocky Elsom's hold on the position.

Injuries to influential vice-captain Daniel Braid, three of their tight-five and a 32-12 loss to the Brumbies has left the Genia-led young Queenslanders vulnerable at Westpac Stadium.

The importance of the penultimate round match between the fourth-placed Reds and seventh-placed Canes has seen the encounter dubbed a "virtual test match".

Such games make selectors sit up and take extra notice and Genia is confident they can end an 11-year drought in Wellington.

"It's just another challenge in our season and one we're looking forward to overcoming," he said.

Genia's ability and nous in the high-stakes clash won't be ignored, especially with David Nucifora saying Elsom was no guarantee of retaining the test captaincy this season.

The ARU high-performance manager and test selector said Genia was among the contenders for the job.

"He's done a good job with Queensland, to inherit it early in the year," Nucifora said on Fox Sports' Rugby Club.

"He's a guy who leads by what he does on the field - he's certainly put his hand up and would be in consideration, no doubt."

Nucifora admitted Elsom had been below his best after a hectic past 24 months where he's played back-to-back seasons for the NSW Waratahs, Wallabies, Munster and now the Brumbies.

"He's played a lot of football, Rocky in the last two years and you are going to have times where you are flat and I would be more than hopeful Rocky is going to come good at the right time," he said.

The underdog Reds' hopes received a shot in the arm yesterday with All Blacks centre Conrad Smith ruled out after a series of recent head knocks and replaced by little-known Jason Kawau.

While the home side boasts test backs Ma'a Nonu, Cory Jane and Piri Weepu, it is Smith who is the glue who holds their backline together.

"I think he's a very important player for them in organising their backs," said Reds coach Ewen McKenzie. "He makes a big difference when he's there."

Smith joins flanker Victor Vito (calf) on the sidelines. Vito's loss has seen a pack reshuffle but the side retains three starting All Blacks, including No 8 Rodney So'oialo who plays his 100th Super rugby match.

McKenzie has given a grateful Andrew Shaw a big shot at a new contract by selecting him as Braid's replacement at openside flanker, ahead of Jake Schatz and Lei Tomiki.

The Reds also need former Wallabies lock Radike Samo, with just three Sydney club games behind him, to step up alongside lineout general Van Humphries.

- AAP