RugbyU: Wallabies Without Genia For Final Bledisloe Test

SYDNEY, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Oct, 2016 ) - The Wallabies will be without experienced scrum-half Will Genia for their final Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Auckland later this month.

Genia's name was missing when coach Michael Cheika named a 31-man squad on Friday for the third clash of the season against the All Blacks. Genia, who has been one of the Wallabies' leading lights this year, was required by his French club Stade Francais.

The Auckland match falls outside the international window in which nations have access to their overseas-based players. "As much as I'd like to have him, no complaints from my end -- they are totally within their rights to ask for the player back," Cheika said.

"Genia has been really good. He's been in some of the best form he's had in an Australian jersey. "He's been really instrumental for the team as a whole and he's one of the senior players we do have, but it's a great opportunity for Nick Phipps to get back out there and stake a claim for the jersey." Cheika has not given up hope on injured back-rowers David Pocock and Sean McMahon playing at Eden Park.

Pocock (broken hand) and McMahon (ankle) were named in the extended squad for the game on October 22.