Former Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia is keen to have another crack at the British and Irish Lions after the heartbreak of losing the 2013 series.

The 37-year-old hung up his Test boots at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, and while he is eager to have another shot at the Lions, he is not targeting a Wallabies recall.

Will Genia issues ‘come and get me’ plea

He has instead issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to former All Blacks boss Ian Foster, who will coach the Invitational Australia & New Zealand team as well as the First Nations & Pasifika XV.

Genia, who played 110 Test matches for the Wallabies, is currently preparing for a relegation-promotion tie with Japanese club Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, who will face Division One outfit the Honda Heat in back-to-back matches.

The Liners have confirmed that Genia and long-time teammate Quade Cooper will be leaving the club at the end of the season, and while the latter is set to hang up his boots, the former isn’t ready just yet.

After starting all three Test matches for the Wallabies back in 2013 against the British & Irish Lions, which Australia lost 2-1, Genia is ready to have another go at beating the famous touring team.

Former England scrum-half Ben Youngs put the question to the Australian on the For the Love of Rugby podcast, and his answer was emphatic.

“Aye mate, I’d love to put my hand up for both teams, the ANZAC XV and the Pacific Island team,” he said.

“I qualify for both so I’m just waiting for someone to hit me up.”.

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Foster targets All Blacks

Ex-All Blacks head coach Foster has already begun piecing his team together, publicly confirming that scrum-half Aaron Smith is one of the players he hopes to include in his team.

“When you look at the New Zealand-based players in Japan, you’ve got the likes of Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga,” said Foster back in March.

“Those types of guys would be really, really good targets for this sort of game and hopefully we can work through things like that.”

Foster has also targeted another ex-All Black scrum-half in TJ Perenara, who has yet to give his response.

“I’ve played a lot of rugby since I tore my Achilles in 2022,” Perenara told reporters.

“I owe it to my family to spend time with them. I’d love to play in that game. It would be an honour. We’ll see.”

Shannon Frizell has also been asked by Foster to play for the side with him and Mo’unga awaiting approval from their Japanese club.

READ MORE: Ian Foster reveals shortlist for Lions clash including star All Black duo

Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/will-genia-issues-come-and-get-me-plea-ahead-of-british-and-irish-lions-tour