Wallabies team captain Will Genia was dropped from the starting line-up by Coach Ewen McKenzie because of being apparently in poor form.

McKenzie is not happy with the team's fourth straight loss, but said it was equally difficult to break the news to his skipper.

"As a leader, you get defined by the decisions you make, not the ones you avoid," McKenzie told tvnz.co.nz.

"Everyone can make easy decisions. It's the hard ones that make a difference."

"I hate losing. I'm not enjoying this time at all.

"But I'm not sitting around hoping something is going to change.

"I'm actually in there trying to drive an outcome.

"I won't leave any stone unturned. I'll keep looking, and if it means you've got to make hard decisions, then you've got to make hard decisions."

According to the Australian mentor, Genia was saddened when he learned that he will be left out of the starting unit.

Nevertheless, McKenzie was quick to stand behind his fallen skipper.

"I know it's the right decision for now. I also know Will will respond. I know his qualities," said McKenzie, who also coached Genia at the Reds.

"It's been a long time since he's been in this situation.

"Will's an outstanding player. But he'd admit he hasn't been at the peak of his game of late."

Meanwhile, substitute Wallabies scrum-half Nic White is more than ready to deliver a good performance.

''Ewen hasn't given me the jersey to go out and have a little run around,'' White told the Sydney Morning Herald.

''I have to make sure I'm well prepared. I'm extremely excited.'' He added.

Despite the setback, McKenzie remains optimistic and believes that White can live up to expectations.

''[White's] got one of the best kicking games I've ever seen and people will assume we've picked him because of his kicking game,'' McKenzie told SMH.

''But he's actually got a very good running game ... You have to have an environment where you've got competition for spots or you won't get the best out of everyone.''