Wallabies star Matt Giteau says his form in the Australian backline has been judged unfairly because of his recent poor record with the boot.

Giteau has suggested there is a perception he is not playing well because his goalkicking has been off target, notably against England and New Zealand in Sydney and against the All Blacks in Hong Kong last weekend.

The Australian inside centre this week gave up the goalkicking duties to 20-year-old winger James O'Connor ahead of Saturday's (Sunday morning AEDT) Test against Wales.

But Giteau says he didn't need to jettison the kicking responsibility to boost his general play.

"It's not really something that I feel has affected my form," Giteau told reporters in Cardiff.

"I feel my form has probably been judged on my kicking.

"I've been pretty happy with the way I've been playing, personally."

The sight of Giteau being dragged from Hong Kong Stadium and replaced by Berrick Barnes in the 64th minute after kicking one from four would have done little to dispel the 28-year-old's concern that he is being judged harshly.

Questions over Australia's midfield defence and the size of their backline have also been raised, particularly after rampaging All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu caused havoc on Saturday night.

Reportedly one of Australia's most highly-paid players, Giteau has effectively played the role of the steady hand amidst the Quade Cooper-inspired mayhem this season, but hasn't scored a Test try for four-and-a-half months.

He crossed for the only two he has scored this international season on June 19 against England at ANZ Stadium, a night remembered for the penalty goal he missed from virtually in front of the uprights which cost Australia dearly in a 21-20 defeat.

Coach Robbie Deans has said goalkicking would be only a small factor in any decision on whether Giteau retains his place in the Wallabies' run-on side.

Apart from a reticence to change a winning side, continuity is on Deans' mind after being forced by injury and suspension to chop and change his backline all season.

Giteau last walked off Millennium Stadium as man of the match, putting in a superb performance a week after Australia had been humiliated 9-8 by Scotland in Edinburgh, another Test remembered for a costly goalkicking miss.

He said his success in Cardiff last time, when Australia won 33-12, hadn't come into his thinking for this weekend.

"Sometimes you just get those opportunities and last year in Wales I was given more opportunity, I got a little bit more space and it worked out for me," he said.

"Then there's other games where you probably don't get those opportunities but others do.

"I don't aim for a man of the match, I go out there and hope we win.

"If we win then I've done my job."

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