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IF Will Genia thought it would be easy to win back the Wallabies starting halfback role, he would have quickly changed his mind on Saturday night.
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Brumbies No.9 Nic White put in an impressive display in his starting debut as the Wallabies broke their four-match losing run with a 14-13 win over Argentina in Perth.
White's kicking for touch was crucial in the wet and windy conditions, while his composure under pressure also earned high praise.
New Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie was so pleased with White's performance that he didn't even feel the need to call upon Genia's services from the bench.
The Wallabies have a week off before taking on South Africa in Cape Town, and McKenzie admits he faces a tough decision over whether to start White or Genia.
White is intent on keeping the No.9 jersey, and he made a strong case to back up his argument.
"The big stage didn't slow him down. he didn't go into his shell,'' McKenzie said.
Nic White clears the ball. His kicking game provided a boost for the Wallabies against Argentina. Source: Getty Images
"Nic would have one of the strongest kicking games in the country.
"He has a strong running game too.
"I don't think we have to be embarrassed about having two international-standard halfbacks. I think it's a great thing for Australian rugby.
"You want to have selection headaches. If you haven't got anything to think about at the selection table, it would be disappointing. You want pressure.''
White admitted he was nervous before the match, but he enjoyed the experience.
He hopes Saturday's performance is just the start of bigger and better things to come.
"I thought it was going to be tough to get that No.9 jersey off Will. He's had his hands on that jersey for a long time now,'' White said.
"I knew that if this opportunity came, it wouldn't come very often. I had to make the most of it.''
However, Genia's credentials will be hard to ignore for McKenzie.
Former All Blacks coach Graham Henry, who is now an adviser with Argentina, said a return to form for Genia would prove crucial to Australia's chances of once again matching it with New Zealand.
"I thought he was the best halfback in the world a year ago,'' Henry said.
"When I was coaching the All Blacks he was the real worry for us.
"We used to spend quite a bit of time practising defence against Genia and (Quade) Cooper type players, because they were the major threat.
"That threat isn't there as it used to be. So something's going on. And maybe this is the way to reignite him.
"He'll come again, because he's too good a player not to.''
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