Genia marked out as Welsh seek win

MELBOURNE (AFP) –

Wallabies’ scrum-half Will Genia (R), seen here at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, says he is expecting extra attention as a desperate Wales side bid to level the three-Test series against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.

Wallabies’ scrum-half Will Genia says he is expecting extra attention as a desperate Wales side bid to level the three-Test series against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.

Genia was outstanding as man-of-the-match in the Wallabies’ 27-19 win in last weekend’s opener in Brisbane and he anticipates he will be a marked man as the Welsh look to close down a major driver of the Australian attack.

The team vice-captain was at the heart of Australia’s offensive, scoring a dazzling individual try and setting up another for Pat McCabe in the Wallabies’ three-tries-to-one victory.

If Wales successfully shut down Genia that will place extra pressure on Berrick Barnes at fly-half to direct the Australians’ back line.

“We expect them to play off their number 10 (Barnes) a lot more this week because they played off their nine (Genia) a lot last week,” Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said on Friday.

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde added: “Genia was obviously very active and a thorn in our side around the breakdown. We’ve obviously got to try and get our hands on him a bit more.”

Australian Wallabies Pat McCabe at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Wellington. Will Genia scored a dazzling individual try and set up another for McCabe in the Wallabies’ three-tries-to-one victory in last weekend’s opener in Brisbane.

But Genia sees the extra attention on him as a positive for his teammates in an unchanged Australian lineup.

“I’ll just ship it early,” Genia said. “If there’s a little more attention close to the ruck, then there’ll be space elsewhere.”

Wales signalled last week that they can present Australia with a real challenge after storming back from 6-20 to trail the Wallabies by just a point with 18 minutes left, only to be killed off by McCabe’s converted try.

The Welsh have been boosted by the arrival this week of their Six Nations-winning coach Warren Gatland, hobbling on crutches following the broken heels he sustained in a fall at his New Zealand home.

“To see his face does give us a boost,” skipper Sam Warburton said. “Warren has had a big influence on a lot of players, particularly the younger ones in terms of giving us a chance. It’s great that he’s back in the squad.

“That will lift the players and the management I am sure.”

Caretaker coach Rob Howley has added more than 180 caps worth of Test experience to his forward pack among four changes to the starting side.

The Welsh have been boosted by the arrival this week of their Six Nations-winning coach Warren Gatland, seen here on February 25.

Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees replaces Ken Owens, Alun Wyn Jones takes over from Luke Charteris at lock and Ryan Jones comes in for injured number eight Toby Faletau (broken hand).

Neath centre Ashley Beck, who gained his first cap in a substitute appearance last week, replaces Scott Williams, who gets a seat on the bench.

“History has depicted, certainly over the last couple of years, that we do better after that first ‘hit-out’,” Howley said.

“We’ll be looking to make sure we start better against a potent Australian side. We need to take that second half last week into our first half.

“We also need to get over the gain line. We want speed of ball in the contact area and we have to be effective when we haven’t got that ball.

“We talk about how disappointed we were in the first 20 minutes last Saturday, but let’s not forget we brought it back to 20-19 and we showed great character and fortitude.”

Warburton, who had not played for 11 weeks and described last week’s opening half as the quickest game he had been in, is looking for better finishing from his team on Saturday.

“At 20-19, we had an overlap and if we’d scored you’d find the result would be a different one, but that’s what Test rugby’s about — taking your chances,” he said.

“We made six line breaks and scored one try. They made six and scored three so we have to try and change that stat.”

Wales are searching for their first win in Australia for 43 years and only their second ever.