Will Genia finally seals new deal with ARU

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BLESSING IN DISGUISE: Will Genia says his injury has provided him with some much needed time off.

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The Australian Rugby Union has finally sealed a new deal with Will Genia seven months after the Wallabies halfback re-signed with the Queensland Reds.

Widely regarded as the best No 9 in the world, Genia will hold a press conference at Ballymore at 2pm (NZT) to confirm his future in Australia.

It is the final act in a drawn-out process where the 24-year-old initially indicated in April he would defect to the Western Force before a sudden change of mind had him re-sign with the Reds in Super Rugby for three more years.

Under the ARU's new contracting system, players negotiate with the national body secondly and those negotiations were highly strained more than a month ago when Genia was reportedly eying a big deal overseas due to a lower-than-expected offer.

A new three-year national contract would lock in Genia, currently sidelined following a knee reconstruction, for the 2015 World Cup in England.

Genia was the Super Rugby player of the year in 2011 as he guided the Reds to their maiden title, capped by a brilliant individual display in the final triumph over the Crusaders.

He was also man-of-the-match when the Wallabies beat the All Blacks in last year's Tri-Nations decider.

- AAP