Wallabies halfback Will Genia was in full defensive mode today when his form was critiqued ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup rugby test against the All Blacks here.
An automatic choice at halfback during the Tri-Nations, and considered a future Australian captain, Genia baulked when it was suggested he had been fortunate to retain his place ahead of Luke Burgess.
Asked if he felt Burgess - coach Robbie Deans' first choice as halfback when his reign began in 2008 - was putting heat on his position after the New South Welshman's impressive role as an impact player during Australia's 41-39 triumph AT Bloemfontein last weekend Genia confessed: "That's a tough question.
"I've been pretty happy with how I've been playing to be honest," he said.
"I got a try in Pretoria and played well for 55 minutes in Bloemfontein, so I'm pretty happy with where I'm at.
"As far as him playing well, it keeps you on your toes and it can only bring out the best in you, so it's only better for the group."
Assuming that response might end an unwelcome line of questioning, the inquisition continued when Genia was asked if it was more important to select a side on the basis of continuity or should bench performances be rewarded.
"You're absolutely killing me with these questions," he bristled.
"What are you trying to say, are you trying to tell me I should be dropped or something?
"Like I said, I'm happy with the way I'm playing and hopefully I continue to play well and you won't ask me silly questions."
Genia was a standout performer for Queensland in the Super 14 though he has been unable to reproduce that form since suffering a knee injury late in the Reds' campaign against the Highlanders.
His comeback was then marred by a thumb injury suffered against England in June.
Burgess posed a threat around the fringes when he entered the fray unusually early in Bloemfontein.
Genia could at least reflect positively on the Wallabies' last-minute win on the highveld, even if he was a spectator during the decisive moments.
"I think that was the biggest thing is the fact that we responded to adversity," he said.
"We started well in both games and in Pretoria we didn't respond to them coming at us and coming back into the game.
"So to be able to have that response from the guys and show that we can do it and really close out a game at the end instils a lot of belief within the group."
Genia was also looking forward to combining with Reds playmaker Quade Cooper for the first time in a trans-Tasman test.
"We missed him when we played them the other couple of times, we missed that creativity so hopefully he can bring that to the game on Saturday," he said.
Tokoroa-born Cooper missed the Melbourne and Christchurch tests through suspension, delaying his first cap against the country he left as a teenager.
And while Genia was clearly antagonised today, his first five-eighth was his usual laidback self this week.
"He's like he always is," Genia said.
"He's the most relaxed bloke I've ever met. He's sending text messages before training, right before he plays and he still goes out and absolutely rips it up. He'll be fine."
NZPA