Wallabies legends Will Genia and Quade Cooper have landed their first gigs post their illustrious playing careers as they step into the coaches’ box.
The two 37-year-olds have joined the coaching staff of the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, with Genia confirmed as the new Skills Coach while Cooper has been entrusted with running the Japanese club’s attack.
Former Maori All Blacks coach Ross Filipo also joins the club as the new forwards coach, with Tai Lavea joining the Liners from Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, who will lead the defence.
Illustrious playing careers come to an end
Last month, Genia, who earned 110 Test caps for the Wallabies between 2008 and 2019, expressed his desire to extend his playing career.
At the time, he believed that he still had plenty to offer on the pitch
“I’m keen to play. I still really enjoy the game, the challenge it obviously provides physically and mentally, so I’m just sort of sitting back seeing what’s out there,” he told AAP.
He revealed that he would be eager to continue his playing days with two destinations in mind.
“I’d like to keep playing, ideally for me, Japan. I really enjoy it there. I still feel like I can compete at a high level in that competition,” he said.
“Potentially even in the States. That’s really appealing to me because it’s somewhere you can go and play and enjoy the game, but share your experience.”
New signings
But now that dream of continuing his career looks to be over with the scrum-half joining his long-time halfback partner in making the switch to the other side of the whistle.
The Liners fell short of gaining promotion to the top division of the Japan Rugby League One, and now the pair will look to assist the team in going one better in 2025/26.
The second division club has made key signings in their bid to do so, with Springboks fly-half Manie Libbok recruited to fill Cooper’s void in the playing squad while scrum-half Keita Fujiwara arrives from the Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi.
Further new signings include South African lock Ryno Pieterse, Newcastle second rower Kiran McDonald, and ex-Japan U20 forward Shoma Makinouchi.
One Test All Blacks centre Peter Umaga-Jensen and former Northampton Saints midfielder Burger Odendaal add further firepower to the squad.