Giteau set for stunning Rugby World Cup snub
By Jim Morton, 18 Aug 2011
- Tagged:
- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, James OConnor, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Nick Phipps, Pat McCabe, Quade Cooper, Rob Horne, Rugby Union, RWC, wallabies, Will Genia
Flabbergasted former Wallabies captain and selector Andrew Slack can’t fathom why Matt Giteau is set to be a controversial omission from Australia’s World Cup squad.
Giteau was the Wallabies’ highest-paid player and star playmaker until last year but coach Robbie Deans will controversially overlook the 28-year-old when he announces his 30-man Cup squad on Thursday.
This is despite the 92-Test stalwart being able to cover three positions, including halfback where Deans is expected to include rookie Nick Phipps as a third specialist No.9 behind general Will Genia and back-up Luke Burgess.
The widespread understanding that NSW playmaker Berrick Barnes would pip Giteau for the last backline place in the squad was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon when the France-bound back posted a leading comment on his Twitter account.
“Thank u ballboys, thank u linesman! That’s it”, Giteau tweeted.
He later confirmed his non-selection with another tweet.
“Really wanna thank everyone for the support! Was a huge honour to get the chance to represent my country as often as I did. veryprivileged”
It means Deans has shown full faith in Barnes standing up as the only specialist playmaker to back up incumbent Quade Cooper, just four club matches back from the concussion problems which have clouded his career.
He is highly regarded by Deans, who appointed him vice-captain ahead of the 2009 spring tour before Barnes withdrew through injury.
Giteau was the man overlooked for the role at the time and his unhappiness showed.
That reaction, as well as a failure to close out several close losses as playmaker and goalkicker in 2009-10, seem to have cost him dearly.
But Slack, who led Australia to their historic 1984 Grand Slam success in the United Kingdom, didn’t see Giteau as out of form or a destabilising influence, and deserved selection.
If there had been a genuine fall-out between Deans and Giteau, the 39-Test centre said the pair needed to man up and mend their bridges.
“From outside the team environment, I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be picked,” Slack told AAP.
“I know Giteau was close to being the Australian captain for the 2007 World Cup but it’s just got me flabbergasted.
“They’re only scuttlebutt/rumours but, if they don’t get on, one of them needs to grow up, or both of them. If that is the issue, then that’s a real shame because at the end of the day, the only people who end up paying for that is everyone else.
“Talent, experience, class, versatility and healthy (match fit) – they’re five compelling factors I would have thought.”
Barnes is among six players with question marks over their fitness, and Slack felt Giteau was a much safer bet as a back-up to X-factor Cooper.
“The other thing I think is the big seller is this third halfback; when you pick a specialist third halfback (like Phipps) when you’ve got a Giteau … is just crazy,” he said.
Giteau’s close friend Drew Mitchell – who’d suffered an ankle injury during the Super Rugby season – indicated through Twitter that he’d been selected but the winger was feeling sorry for his mate.
“The song of the day is Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve,” he tweeted.
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee), prop James Slipper (ankle) and centre Rob Horne (elbow) are all expected to join Mitchell in the squad after undergoing fitness testing on Wednesday but No.8 Wycliff Palu (shoulder) is in doubt.
Reactivated Radike Samo may sneak in ahead of Palu while veteran lock Dan Vickerman is also crossing his fingers.
© AAP 2012Possible World Cup squad: Backs – Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Drew Mitchell, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Anthony Faingaa, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Nick Phipps, Luke Burgess, Will Genia.
Forwards – Ben McCalman, Radike Samo, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Rocky Elsom (capt), Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Ben Daley, Stephen Moore, Saia Faingaa, Tatafu Polota-Nau.
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August 18th 2011 @ 7:23am
formeropenside said | August 18th 2011 @ 7:23am | Report comment
I’d have Gits in my 30 as an insurance policy, but he’s not match day 22.
I fully expect to see Deans make a complete shambles of the squad selection, but we shall see later today.
August 18th 2011 @ 7:41am
Will Sinclair said | August 18th 2011 @ 7:41am | Report comment
It really is a stunning selection.
Even a month ago, most of us would have considered Giteau one of the first selected in the 30 man RWC squad.
Stunning.
August 18th 2011 @ 7:47am
johnny-boy said | August 18th 2011 @ 7:47am | Report comment
Finally a good move by Deans imo. Giteau sealed his fate by being caught abusing Moore in the last Super XV game. Obviously no respect for his teammates. A cancer that needed to be cut out and I’m surprised Deans has finally found some balls. Barnes is a much better backup to Quade and utility and if only Deans had the balls to pick Lucas instead of Phipps we could have a half decent team. Especially if Davies got in ahead of Turner. If Samo is not in I’ll scream.
August 18th 2011 @ 8:59am
Mals said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:59am | Report comment
JB – I don’t think either Turner or Davies will be selected. The only specialist wingers will be Drew & Digby with O’Connor covering wing & as well as nearly every other backline position. Samo should be there ahead of Palu. I think it is unnecessary to have 3 specialist half backs selected, that is why I thought Giteau would be the last man chosen ahead of Phipps.
If Horne & Vickerman make the squad they should enter the next lotto draw.
August 18th 2011 @ 9:04am
Jimbo said | August 18th 2011 @ 9:04am | Report comment
I actually thought that Moore was just as much out of line as Giteau in that instance. To openly undermine your Captain on the field, regardless of how big a prick he is, was a massive no-no IMHO. I would have blown up too. Then again… the only time I was captain was the under 11′s and I would have tapped and given it to my 6 foot Tongan fullback
August 18th 2011 @ 7:54am
darwin stubby said | August 18th 2011 @ 7:54am | Report comment
Totally crazy decision – but also very R Deans … that he cuts all that experience and goes with so many returning injured players puts Aust several rows back from the get go … if this squad selection comes out similar to the one listed above (or worse Palu in for Samo) then they’ll struggle to better the ’07 team
August 18th 2011 @ 7:58am
mikeylives said | August 18th 2011 @ 7:58am | Report comment
He has some form this season, but in a losing Brumbies side. Would his ARU cotract/match payments cost too much for his relative contribution? It seems the 1 million a season thing went on for a couple of years too long.
Samoa was a black spot and probably his last chance. However, that should apply to others as well (ie AAC?).
August 18th 2011 @ 8:56am
soapit said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:56am | Report comment
definitely, AACwas also in that losing brumbies side but without any form.
August 18th 2011 @ 8:01am
Capital said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:01am | Report comment
Its a shame on a personal level for Giteau.
But he obivously doesn’t fit in the plans of Deans.
9 Genia Burgess (and possibly Phibbs if selected)
10 Cooper Barnes JOC Beale
12 Barnes Faiinga / McCabe JOC
13 McCabe / Faiinga AAC Horne
I couldn’t see the guy getting into the 22
Genia and Burgess are 9
Cooper, Barnes, JOC and even Beale could play 10 from the start side
Centres can be covered by Barnes McCabe / Faiinga JOC and Ioane from starting side
And fullback is covered by Beale JOC McCabe AAC
The reality is that our starting backline past 9 are very good in a number of positions.
I think Giteau just didn’t fit – and tweeting the news before the announcement – as did Mitchell is pretty selfish.
August 18th 2011 @ 8:07am
Ooaahh said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:07am | Report comment
Everywhere gits has been has a coach player issue. Nucifora, Mitchell and friend can attest to that. I think this lack of selection is more about team harmony than player form.
August 18th 2011 @ 8:10am
jamesb said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:10am | Report comment
i’d have giteau over nick phipps.
August 18th 2011 @ 8:23am
ianmac said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:23am | Report comment
I”d have Giteau, Lucas or James Stannard over Nick Phipps.
August 18th 2011 @ 8:51am
Jimbo said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:51am | Report comment
I agree. Whilst I like Phipps and I’m not a huge Giteau fan, we are talking about the World Cup. Every single WC year it has come down to experience as much as ability. I feel for the guy. I saw him walking around Coogee a couple of weeks ago before the Randwick game looking a little lost.
I agree with FO. It’s an insurance policy. Technically he can cover 9,10,11,12,14,15.
I also have to say as much as I like McCalman… Samo really deserves his spot.
August 18th 2011 @ 8:18am
Jack said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:18am | Report comment
The reasons for Giteau’s omission don’t need deep analysis. His form over the last two years has been poor. He plays at 10 and does not put others into gaps, cannot throw a long pass, takes space off his outside backs, bis too slow run around defenders ( or catch giant wingers) and has a high error rate at critical times. Barnes dominated club games recently. Giteau did not. He tries really hard? So do 1000s pf players every week. Talent, experience, class, versatility? Maybe once.
August 18th 2011 @ 8:28am
AdamS said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:28am | Report comment
Why don’t we all wait for teh actual squad to be posted before we start criticising the ommissions.
And lets have a player twitter ban for the duration, they just can’t help themselves.
August 18th 2011 @ 8:29am
Capital said | August 18th 2011 @ 8:29am | Report comment
A tad late AdamS