Genia in race against clock for June opener

Sat, May 5, 2018, 7:09 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Will Genia injured his knee against the Crusaders. Photo: Getty Images
Will Genia injured his knee against the Crusaders. Photo: Getty Images

Wallabies and Rebels halfback Will Genia is in a race against time to play in Australia's June Series opener against Ireland, after suffering a knee injury.

Genia came off in the first half of the Rebels' 55-10 loss to the Crusaders on the Friday night with a medial ligament strain.

Scans on Saturday revealed a low grade strain to his medial ligament, with the Rebels confirming the nine would miss their next three Super Rugby matches, all of which lead into the June Series, with a bye squeezed in as well.

A best-case scenario would see Genia possibly return in four weeks, which would line up with a return for the first June Series Test, but that is an optimistic outlook.

Genia said post-match on Friday night that the injury felt like one he had done previously that put him out for six weeks.

The scrumhalf was playing his first game in three weeks, after a hamstring injury suffered earlier in the season.

Genia has been in near career-best form for the Rebels before his injuries, and his loss will be a major blow for the club, but also the Wallabies.

The 29-year-old is clearly the first-choice Wallabies halfback, with no standout understudy at this stage.

Usual backup Nick Phipps has been coming off the bench for NSW, behind Jake Gordon, while 2017 debutant Joe Powell has had patchy form with the Brumbies.

The Wallabies play their first June Series Test against Ireland on Saturday June 9 in Brisbane.

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