Usually, being named in your countries' squad for a global tournament should bring emotions of happiness and joy. Not for former Wallaby captain Will Genia.
The Queensland Reds scrumhalf admitted that he feels embarrassed to be named in the squad ahead of Brumbies Nic White, as one of just two scrumhalves after Cheika named an unusual breakdown in his roster.
Genia hasn't played since the opening game of the Rugby Championship after sustaining a knee injury against South Africa, while White was the catalyst against New Zealand that got Australia their first win over the All Blacks in four years and their four Rugby Championship title since the introduction of Argentina.
Genia texted White to console him:
I said: ‘Look mate, I feel a bit embarrassed because I haven’t played much footy and you played really well with your match-winning cameo against the All Blacks off the bench.
I said to him: ‘I promise you I’ll do my best to make you proud.’ I think he appreciated it. He sent me a message back.
It will be Genia's second World Cup after he was man-handled by Stephen Ferris in 2011. His career hasn't really hit the heights of his form before that tournament - but he showed some signs of coming back to the player he was this season.
Australia are in the pool of death with hosts England, Wales, dark-horses Fiji and Uruguay.
See Also: Australia Spring Surprises In Their Final World Cup Squad
Pic: Sportsfile
