Genia still remembers lessons from when Australia ‘disrespected’ Ireland

Will Genia has made the frank admission Australia underestimated Ireland at the 2011 World Cup before a shock loss in the pool stages.

And it is this "disrespectful" mindset that Genia is determined to make sure does not infiltrate a markedly different Australian side with only four players remaining from that match seven years ago.

Before the 2011 fixture in Auckland, the Wallabies had won 17 of their previous 20 matches against Ireland, going back to to 1981.

While players would argue history has no bearing on the outcome of a new match, reputation and respect accumulated over time can become a major factor.

With scores level at half-time, Ireland won 15-6 thanks to the boot of Johnny Sexton and two late penalty goals from Ronan O'Gara in a victory Genia would rather not remember.

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"When I look back there we probably underestimated them going into that game, which is pretty disrespectful," Genia said. "They taught us a lesson which was good."

Seldom would a player admit to underestimating a team in the lead-up to a match, or even shortly after a loss.

Genia clearly knows the danger of doing so and has promised that he and other members of that 2011 team – Kurtley Beale, Sekope Kepu and Rob Simmons – will instil a ruthless mindset into this Wallabies side to make sure there is no complacency.

"To be fair, I was probably just ignorant back then," Genia said. "People just know more [nowadays]. Whether its social media or people take more of an interest, they know the Sextons, they knows the Murrays, all the big players they have and the impacts theyve had at club level with Leinster.

"Theres no chance of us underestimating them. You cant underestimate them at all because theyre No.2 in the world but just the level of rugby, the style of rugby … its all about attrition to them."

Following the arrival of Brumbies players on Sunday evening, the Wallabies now have their full assembly of players in camp before the weekends first Test.

Genia is almost certain to start at halfback even though he is the most underdone member of the team that will face the nothern hemisphere champions. The 30-year-old hasnt played since injuring his knee against the Crusaders on May 4 but could have returned for the Rebels against the Blues last Saturday if required.

"I knew that if I had that extra week I was definitely going to be ready this week," Genia said. "I feel pretty good. The biggest thing is making sure I get the work done from a conditioning perspective."

Genia said the Wallabies had already identified discipline as one area they wanted to clean up ahead of a three-match series against the reigning Six Nations grand slam winners.

"We are the most penalised side in the top 10 nations," Genia said. "If youre going to give three, six, nine, 12 points to a guy who is going to kick them pretty much every time, youre just chasing your tail from the start of the game. It releases pressure, it puts you under pressure.

"Its something weve had problems with the last couple of years and we really have to fix.

"Theyre the second best team in the world, so to get an opportunity to play them for three games in a row itll be huge to get a series win and a big confidence booster for us heading into the Rugby Championship."

There are five uncapped players in the Wallabies squad and several could be in line for a potential debut.

With Jordan Uelese ruled out for the series, hookers Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Folau Faingaa are both a chance of making their international debuts unless Michael Cheika opts to go with Tolu Latu from the Waratahs.

Jack Maddocks is another first-time Wallaby in line for a spot in Australia's matchday 23 for the game at Suncorp Stadium.

Genia, the second-most experienced member of the Wallabies squad behind Sekope Kepu, said it was imperative to make the newcomers feel as comfortable as possible during the week.

"Thats all you can do because theyre going to be nervous, theyre going to be anxious about the game," Genia said. "Its not the end of the world if they make a mistake because its just a rugby game at the end of the day."

Tom Decent is a journalist with Fairfax Media.

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