Japan sabbatical for Genia?

Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia could become the latest high-profile player to take up an offer to play in Japan.

According to sources in Japan, Kubota and Sonny Bill Williams' club the Wild Knights are headhunting the Australian general.

After verbally agreeing to join the Western Force in 2013, Genia reconsidered his options and re-signed with the Reds towards the end of April.

Negotiations between Genia and the Australian Rugby Union, however, have been dragging for some time and his reluctancy to pen a new deal with the national body is fanning speculation that he is considering a similar sabbatical to that of All Black flyhalf Dan Carter’s stint with French club Perpignan in 2009.

Genia is one of several big-name Wallabies currently sidelined through injury after undergoing a full reconstruction of the ACL ligament in his right knee following the Wallabies' 26-19 win over the Springboks in the Rugby Championship Test in Perth last month.