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Sudden debutant Will Genia seems certain to win a bigger chance to show his halfback skills when the Wallabies take aim at another daunting Tri-Nations Test on the road against South Africa in Cape Town on August 8.
While the Wallabies are still likely to persevere with 15-Test halfback Luke Burgess after his erratic showing against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday night, they are certain to upgrade Genia from his eight-minute debut off the bench.
The compact Queenslander threw his 15 passes with aplomb and coach Robbie Deans clearly wants to see what he's got at the top level after selecting him for this big game without any match play for two months because of a finger tendon injury.
Genia was at Auckland Airport by 5am yesterday for his flight home and could barely believe the experience he'd just been through.
"I was due to make my comeback at Courtney Field (for Brisbane club Norths) and instead I'm at Eden Park facing the haka and the All Blacks," Genia said.
"It was amazing to get on and experience a Test match. I didn't feel any nerves, just the privilege.
"I'd love to play more than eight minutes and one Test and really get into a rhythm."
Genia got an instant taste of all that the thundering physicality of the Tri-Nations means and the constant pressure that Burgess and fellow Test halfbacks operate under.
"The pace of the game and the breakdown area being an absolute battle zone, from where halfbacks have to get out the ball, are the big differences from Super 14. It's in your face immediately," Genia said.
Genia's father Kilroy, a former defence minister in the government of Papua New Guinea, made the trip from Port Moresby to watch his son while coach Chris Lane, Genia's mentor since the under-11s, also flew in for the proud debut.
The Test entertainment was provided by singer Mark Williams and the rendition of his 1990s hit, Show No Mercy, should have been adapted more into the Wallaby game plan.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-32464,00.html