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Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau welcomes the challenge of trying to contain recalled All Blacks counterpart Dan Carter following the frustrations of Australia’s loss in South Africa and his “hardest 10 minutes of rugby.”
The renewal of the rivalry between the men widely regarded as the two best five-eighths in world rugby is set to resume after Carter’s successful return from injury.
The classy pivot has been recalled to the New Zealand squad after playing one club match and one provincial game and is tipped to be back in New Zealand’s starting line-up for the August 22 clash with the Wallabies in Sydney.
“I’m sure he will have a huge influence for them,” Giteau told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
“For whoever is the five-eighth, for me individually it is a big challenge and certainly one that I welcome, you enjoy playing the best.
“I consider him probably the best flyhalf in world rugby.
“It will be good to play against him, but we’re just focusing on getting our first (Tri-Nations) win.
“I think South Africa has shown how important it is to win those home games, winning all three of theirs. It shows how vital it is for us to win all of our three and it starts next Saturday.”
Australia’s New Zealand-born coach Robbie Deans, who coached Carter at the Crusaders Super franchise, has also welcomed the likely return of the champion five-eighth.
Deans hoped the presence of Carter would help to bring the best out of his team as the Wallabies seek to boost their flagging Tri-Nations fortunes.
The Wallabies languish at the bottom of the ladder after away losses to New Zealand and South Africa.
Giteau admitted to being frustrated after last weekend’s loss to South Africa.
“It was (frustrating) more just because of being sin-binned. I think that’s the hardest 10 minutes of rugby I’ve ever had to do,” Giteau said.
“I found that frustrating, to go there and train and prepare as well as we did and then not come away with the win, we were disappointed.”
Giteau was nursing a corked leg at training on Friday, but stressed it wasn’t a problem.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.