Former Australia captain Genia retires aged 37

Will Genia, one of the most renowned players in Australian rugby history, has announced his retirement at the age of 37.

The scrum-half captained Australia at three World Cups as it became the 78th player to do so.

He became the seventh-most capped Wallaby in history after appearing for his country 110 times over the course of his 10-year international career.

“Thank you to the teams, my team-mates, coaches, teachers, friends, and all the wonderful people in the game who supported me, guided me, shaped me, included me, tolerated me, put up with me, and made me better,” Genia wrote on Instagram.

“Thank you to the fans for making the game what it is.

Genia made his 100th appearance for Australia against England at Twickenham in 2018, making him the tenth Australian to do so.

The last of his 110 caps came in 2019.

Following his performances at the 2011 World Cup, when Australia lost to rivals New Zealand in the semi-finals, Genia was nominated for the 2011 IRB Player of the Year award.

Following previous stints with Stade Francais and the Melbourne Rebels, he completed his career with the Japanese side Kintetsu Liners.

For more than ten years, Rugby Australia’s CEO, Phil Waugh, claimed that “Will was a world class number nine who starred on the biggest stages of international rugby.”