Recovering Australian scrum half Luke Burgess is more determined than ever to recapture his No.9 jersey but concedes his return may be delayed by the form of rival Sam Cordingley.
The six-Test tyro missed the bulk of this year's Tri Nations series after suffering a knee injury on the eve of Australia's departure to South Africa, leaving the path clear for Cordingley to take centre stage.
Cordingley was solid if not spectacular at the back-end of the winter campaign, presenting a reasonable case for retention despite a push for Burgess ahead of the historic end-of-season tour of Hong Kong, Europe and the UK.
Burgess is ignoring talk he will be fast-tracked back to the Wallabies line-up as coach Robbie Deans looks to re-introduce a quick tempo style of game.
Asked by Sportal if he expected to win back his spot for the November 1 Bledisloe Cup showdown with New Zealand in Hong Kong, Burgess replied: "Not at all. The competition is as hot as ever."
"I don't expect to walk back in."
"I thought they (Cordingley and back-up half Brett Sheehan) were fantastic while I was out … getting a win in Durban and almost beating the All Blacks in Brisbane."
"Their game management experience and Sam's contribution over 10 years has been great to watch."
"I'm privileged to have the opportunity to be in the squad with him."
"It's always a good rivalry but we leave that on the field and are very supportive of each other. It's a good environment."
While disappointed to be struck down by injury at such a critical stage of the season, the
25-year-old has taken plenty of positives from the experience.
"Whenever an injury comes along it's always untimely, but it gave me an opportunity to learn about how I'd gone this year and how I needed to improve and what it's all meant to me," Burgess said.
"It was a good time to reflect. It really reinforced my commitment and my enthusiasm."
"It's about making a contribution and working as hard as you can and not being focused on your own selection."
Burgess, who rates his knee at '80-90 per cent fitness', will step up his training program this week.
But no chances are being taken with the player rated by many as the key to Australia's hopes of climbing back to the top of world rugby.
"I'm being monitored by GPS. I wasn't allowed to do more than 2ks the other day at training," he revealed.
"It's pretty specific but it's progressing well and I'm looking forward to a bit more intensity this week."
"I'm focusing on that first game in Hong Kong but first things first. I've got to get through my contact this week."
"I'm pretty confident I will be right."