How a text message from George Gregan helped uncork Wll Genia's stuttering confidence

WHEN Will Genia was benched last year, World Cup-winning predecessor George Gregan fortified his rattled confidence.

Gregan laughs with openside flanker David Pocock and Genia before a Test against Wales in 2012.

WHEN Will Genia was benched and suffering last year, World Cup-winning predecessor George Gregan fortified his rattled confidence.

Genia has not forgotten that support from the halfbacks' Hall of Fame leader now he is back in the groove as the world's best No.9.

Genia runs the ball at training at Ballymore

"George's message meant a lot because I was hurting and struggling to sleep,'' Genia said of being dropped by the Wallabies last September.

"I still remember George's text when I needed that support: 'Trust yourself. Continue to back yourself. It happens to everyone'.''

Just as Gregan bounced back from being dropped to win a World Cup, Genia rebounded to be an integral part of the Wallabies' four-win flourish to end the year.

Genia was by the side of the former Wallabies captain yesterday to help him launch The George Bar, Gregan's bistro-coffee hub on Brisbane's Eagle Street.

Gregan said the Wallabies and Reds would benefit this year from the classy way Genia dealt with the first major adversity of his career.

"Dropped, rotated ... it's tough whatever you call it,'' Gregan said.

"Will is the best scrumhalf in the world and the really mature way he dealt with a tough time showed great character. You just know he's hungry for 2014.''

Gregan still has a sidestep at 40. Yesterday, he had to find one quickly when hooked into the Wallabies captaincy debate.

Genia and towering James Horwill, with his Wolverine-style beard, were flanking him. Fit-again David Pocock is also back in the running.

Gregan laughs with openside flanker David Pocock and Genia before a Test against Wales in 2012.

"It's a hard one isn't it? I know James would love to be in that position and he's done a great job when in the role,'' Gregan said.

"Will has too. What I'm liking is that like all really good teams, the Wallabies have three or even four contenders who can step up as captain.

"Whoever does the job will do it really well with great support from a strong core of leaders.''

Gregan got off the fence when previewing Super Rugby's opening round blockbuster between the Reds and his Brumbies in Canberra.

"You know where my allegiances are. The Brumbies want to be what the Reds have been, a champion team. There is a fierce rivalry here,'' Gregan said.

The Reds crank up with a tough pre-season trial against the Chiefs in Toowoomba on Saturday week.