Straightforward refusal? Rubbish (2-8)
I believe the answer is:
no-nonsense
'straightforward' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'refusal? rubbish' is the wordplay.
'refusal?' becomes 'no' (saying no to something).
'rubbish' becomes 'nonsense' (I've seen this before).
'no'+'nonsense'='NO-NONSENSE'
(Other definitions for no-nonsense that I've seen before include "Straightforward, practical" , "Sensible and straightforward" , "Down-to-earth" , "Simple, straightforward" , "Simple, sensible" .)