I’m excited to work with world-class Libbok – Will Genia

Wallabies legend Will Genia is relishing working with Springboks star Manie Libbok as he makes the transition into coaching alongside his long-time teammate Quade Cooper at division two side Hanazono Kintetsu Liners.  

Genia, who announced his retirement in August, and his ex-half-back partner Quade Cooper, both, 37, rejoined the promotion-chasing Liners as coaches in July after six seasons playing for the Osaka-based club.  

Papua New Guinea-born Genia is working as a skills coach with Cooper managing the club’s attack.  

The former Stade Francais scrum-half, who was still in scintillating form last season scoring 11 tries in 15 games, is loving his new role and told RugbyJP.com that he turned down several offers to keep playing to embark on his coaching career. 

Genia and Cooper fittingly ended their playing careers together - JRLO ©

“I am loving coaching,” said the 2011 Super Rugby and Tri-Nations winner.

“I did have offers to keep playing but not anything that I thought was worth it. I got to a point where I had played for 20 years so it felt like things were complete in a sense.” 

Genia always had coaching ambitions but admitted that a return to the Liners was not on the cards when he finished up his playing contract in May and had everything shipped home from his Osaka base to Australia.  

“It’s funny how things work out, it’s good to be back. 

“I am blessed to have this opportunity at Kintetsu, it’s a fortunate position to be in because there’s already established relationships which makes it easier to teach, learn and immerse myself in the role.” 

The 110-cap Wallaby is enjoying the process of transitioning into coaching.

“As much as I know about the game, as a player you can put me on the field and I could just do things, it’s a different ball game as a coach. You’re not driving the message now, you’re teaching it. 

“You see the game differently (as a coach), you start to learn different things about the game and for me it’s like starting everything again and I love it.” 

Coach Genia - Picture courtesy of Kintetsu Liners

The Liners, who are owned by Kintetsu Group Holdings – a Japanese conglomerate with a varied portfolio including transportation, real estate and international logistics – have overhauled their squad in the summer after narrowly losing their promotion/relegation play-off against division one side Honda Heat last season. 

One-cap All Black Peter Umaga-Jensen has joined from the Hurricanes and has been installed as their co-captain with Japanese hooker Reiya Ueyama.  

South African second-row Ryno Pieterse has signed up from French outfit Castres with Scotland’s Kiran McDonald bolstering their second-row options after leaving Newcastle. 

Former Northampton Saints centre Burger Odendaal, who had a stint with Kubota Spears in 2018, will also have an important role to play while his compatriot and 2023 World Cup winner Manie Libbok is their marquee summer signing. 

The ambitious club, who are plotting their return to League One’s top-flight after being relegated in 2024 by division two winners Urayasu D-Rocks, have also assembled an all-star coaching line-up. 

Genia and Cooper have been joined by highly-regarded defence coach Tai Lavea who was instrumental in Toshiba Brave Lupus’ back-to-back division one championship triumphs and ex-Maori All Blacks head coach Ross Filipo who is their new forwards coach. Ex-Liners player Haruki Ota was promoted from coaching coordinator to their head coach position. 

“We’ve got a good collection of Japanese and foreign players, we have a good mixture,” said Genia.  

“A lot of our foreigners have come in and made an impressive difference. Our new co-captain Peter Umaga-Jensen has come in and made a really positive influence on the group. 

“We’re trying to build a harder edge at the moment.” 

Genia has already started working with Libbok after the South African made a brief visit to his new home ahead of travelling to London to start the Springboks' Autumn campaign.

“Manie is a world-class player, we all see the game the same way but then it’s a case of him being on the field, it’s about sharing consistent messages of what we’re seeing and then for them to be executed. 

“He brings a wealth of knowledge from his experiences which enables him to be able to try new things and to take on board the ideas we have.” 

Genia revealed that he will be available to put the boots back on if one of the club’s international Test players (category C) goes down to an injury.  

“I can still play, I’ll tell you that, we’ll see,” said Genia (laughs). 

Kintetsu Liners open their season away from home against reigning division two champions Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi on Saturday 13 December in a mouthwatering tussle. 

The Shuttles have snapped up Wallabies star Noah Lolesio and the returning Christian Lealiifano as well as centre Thomas Umaga-Jensen from the Highlanders.