Will Genia to quit international rugby at end of World Cup

Australian scrum-half Will Genia has announced that he will be retiring from international rugby at the end of the World Cup in Japan later this year.

The 31-year-old made his debut for the Wallabies in 2009 and recently made his 100th Test appearance against England during the November internationals last year.

“When I think about my Test career I’m very happy that as it stands I’m one of only 10 players to play 100 Tests for Australia,” he told Rugby Australia’s official website.

“My longevity in the game thus far, very happy I’ve made my country proud but also my birth country Papua New Guinea and my family proud.

“I feel like I’m leaving at the right time because there’s a whole bunch of young players who are coming through who are very, very good and some experienced ones as well with Nic (White) and Joey (Powell) who’s had a couple of Tests as well.

“I think there’s some very, very talented guys coming through and guys who are willing to work hard and have those ambitions.”

Genia has already confirmed that he will be playing for the Japanese Top Challenge League club Kintetsu along with Quade Cooper at the end of the showpiece event and believes the move will provide him more time to spend with his family.

“She [Olivia, his daughter] was probably one of the biggest reasons to leave and go to Japan and… retire from Test footy because I just want that time to spend with her,” he said.

“She’s going to start going to school soon and I won’t be able to spend all that time with her so I want to make the most of it.”