Queensland outside centre Anthony Faingaa says Will Genia's decision to stay at Ballymore has "united" the Reds, as they continue their Super Rugby title defence.
Genia declared on Monday he was re-committing to the Reds until the end of 2015, a stunning backflip that came less than 48 hours after the Reds announced the Wallabies half-back had agreed to terms to join Western Force next season.
The deal with the Reds is subject to Australian Rugby Union (ARU) protocols and may yet be complicated due to salary cap issues and the extent to which the ARU is willing to top up Genia's contract.
Genia had told Reds coach Ewen McKenzie he intended to sign with the Force following Friday night's 23 -11 win over the Blues in Auckland, but changed his mind on Sunday.
Faingaa, who extended his contract with the Reds earlier this year along with his twin brother Saia, says Genia's intention to re-sign spoke volumes for the bond that exists within the playing roster.
"I think Will's signing has united the group," he said.
"It hasn't just been one player that has stayed because of the team, it has been a few players. Saia and I, Will.
"So, it really means we are building a good culture here and for us having a good culture is everything. it's not all about the money."
Genia made his Super Rugby debut in the Reds' ill-fated 2007 season, when they won just two matches and finished last on the ladder.
He rose to become a senior member of the playing group and scored a breathtaking runaway try in last year's final when the Reds defeated the Crusaders 18-13 at Lang Park.
Faingaa, who will make his first start of the season against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday after recovering from a foot injury, says the fact Genia had helped the Reds build from the ground up meant much to him and team-mates.
"Will came out and spoke to us as a group and said it's fantastic, he loves staying here and he wants to be a part of the Queensland Reds," he said.
"For us, building this team, starting last and pushing forward to where we are now, it means a lot to him and that's why he stayed and it means a lot to the players here."
Saia Faingaa, who also returns to the matchday squad from injury via the reserves bench, agrees that the tightness of the Reds' playing group was behind Genia's decision to knock back a more financially lucrative offer to move west.
"No money can buy a team and we have shown that," he said.
"We've come from last to now champions, so we know how hard it is. I think that was one of the main reasons why he stayed and for us. It was a major bonus."
Saia Faingaa also hopes it will convince other off-contract players, most notably Quade Cooper, to re-sign with the Reds.
"I think the other guys coming off contract will take a leap of faith hopefully," he said.
"But in saying that, everyone has to make their own decision."
McKenzie feels the buoyant mood the Reds now enjoy following Genia's decision will be reflected in Sunday's re-match of the 2011 season decider.
"I'm sure he (Genia) will be more unencumbered now he's made a decision and I think other people around are feeling good too," he said.
Line-up changes
The return of the Faingaa twins were among a series of changes McKenzie has made to his line-up with Greg Holmes replacing the injured Ben Daley (hamstring) at loosehead prop and Jake Schatz starting at blindside flanker in place of Beau Robinson, who sustained a leg injury against the Blues.
Digby Ioane shifts back to the wing in his second match back from suspension, meaning Rod Davies was demoted to the bench where he will join the returning Radike Samo.
The Crusaders (6-3) are enjoying a rich vein of form, having won their past three matches, including 37-33 over New South Wales in Sydney last Sunday.
McKenzie is unfazed, noting the 5-4 Reds have never lost to the Crusaders since he became head coach in 2010.
"We're certainly not going in as favourites," he said.
"But we never seem to be the favourites when we play the Crusaders yet we've been able to get the results. It's a good context for us and we're looking forward to it."
Queensland squad:
Luke Morahan, Dom Shipperley, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons, James Slipper, James Hanson, Greg Holmes
Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Albert Anae, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Radike Samo, Eddie Quirk, Nick Frisby, Rod Davies
Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000 First posted May 03, 2012 12:25:15