As I watched the Wallabies take on England, I wondered why a player of Giteau’s obvious talents seemed to be making the wrong choices in attack, continually hitting the defensive line hard when a deft pass was in order.
He was also hesitating when he should have just gone for broke.
It reminded me in many ways of a young Chris Latham in a Wallaby jumper. It seemed back then that Latham, so used to having to do it all to raise the Reds, felt the same compulsion when donning his nations’ jumper.
The problem being, of course, that you may get away with it for Queensland, but you have every chance of being shown up in the Test arena. It seemed that when he learned to trust his Australian teammates, he flourished into the great player that he should always have been.
It looks to me like Giteau, so used to having world beaters in Larkham, Gregan and Mortlock around him, suddenly has the Australian rugby world on his shoulders. It looks like he is trying to do it all himself, which is just making matters worse.
I think he, too, could learn to trust his teammates. Not only will it make them better, but it will help him get back to his best, which is what he would desperately like.
Here’s hoping the solid performances of Cooper, Ioane and Genia bring trust along with them.
The other side of Latham was also on display, especially around the 70th minute. AAC had no right to score that try. 15 metres out, no room to evade, and two defenders to get through. You do not score from that situation.
You perhaps set up a ruck and not get bundled into touch. You maybe put through a grubber for a chaser. But you do not score.
This refusal to submit to a situation, to show the leg drive and sheer bloody mindedness was classic Latham.
Let’s hope that AAC can develop a decent kicking game and become the next Latham, because I reckon Ioane is on the way to being the next Mortlock.
Shahsan
Guest
That's no definition of greatness. Many fullbacks can do that. Burke, Gould etc could do that and much more. Latham was usually found out in the biggest games. Go have a look at the history. He looked great against weak teams or when the cause was lost, or when he was just gilding the lily, but he was never a match winner when the chips were down.
Davey
Guest
Tell that to the forwards playing with him who time and time again jogged 60M upfield for a lineout after another Latham clearance.
mudskipper
Guest
I think Deans wanted the Wallabies including Giteau to run at Wilkinson to tire him out... However when Giteau went wide and through the long ball to AAC it was game over after Ashley pushed over...
Adrian
Guest
Agree 100% with Giteau doubters. No15 is the spot for Gits (can't they use more creative nicknames?). More similarity with Latham! He just cannot be allowed to be anywhere near the decision making. "Let go" Gits, and allow others to make you look good. Otherwise the bench.
fox
Guest
I agree. But we've seen him jink into space from that position countless times. The opposition obviously did their homework. He overplayed his hand.
Dave
Guest
Giteau may shine at S14 level, but not in the sense that he ignites a backline. He is an individual player. Allways has been and always will be. There is nothing wrong with that. Its those skills that make him stand out - particulary at S14 level. The problem with him at 10 against top opposition is that he cant get away with beating a player on the outside or standing them up every time. In fact, its getting harder and harder. He is not getting through half gaps like he used to. Part of the problem is that the opposition know he's coming. With the defence sweating on Larkham and Mortlock, our range of attacking options created space for Gits to work his magic. Now with Gits alone calling the shots they know that he will either A) Run straight at the line, or B) Shift the ball one out without taking on the line... I am a big fan of his, but he is not a play maker. We need Cooper with his passing options at 10 fulltime, and Digby with his running angles and strength at 13 to take the focus of Gits (who needs to move to 12). Once that combination is formed, Giteau will be dancing though defences once again!
Cutter
Guest
The Wallabies brains trust are bereft of brains if they think the best way to test a dicky shoulder is to run 2 of the 3 smallest blokes at it. I read Spiro's theory and think its bollocks. If they were running Palu and Elsom at it all day I might be more inclined to agree. Giteau wasted several very good attacking opportunities in the red zone by taking it himself and I can't believe this was part of the "game plan". Gits should be moved to 12, which is where he played most of the game on Saturday anyway. If Barnes was fit, I'd be tempted to give Gits a rest.
Shahsan
Guest
I don't know which big games you mean. By big games I mean the World Cups, the Tri Nations and the Lions series. Was he influential in any of those matches? No. Was he wondrous against Namibia or on end-of-season jaunts, yes he was. As I said, capable of the occasional great moment, but never a match winner, never the 'go to' man.
Parisien
Guest
I think Latham was an excellent fullback, right up there with the best, although Blanco is still my favourite. I remember Latham scoring some tries out of absolutely nothing in big games against South Africa, New Zealand, France and England. My only criticism of him is that being a big man, defensively he could get turned.
Shahsan
Guest
So anyway, CraigB, i did have a quick look at the results of the Tri Nations in 2004 and 2005. No signs of greatness anywhere. Where else do you want me to look? Autumn internationals? June internationals? World Cup? Commonwealth Games? Seriously, my point really is that writers should not waste words such as great or brilliant on those who are not.
Shahsan
Guest
All are/were good players. including Latham, but not a 'great' in my book. Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times called him the greatest fullback he had ever seen -- yes, better than Serge Blanco, Andy Irvine, JPR Williams, Christian Cullen, Matt Burke etc.
Shahsan
Guest
Yes, that golden period in Australian rugby. Just shows that the phrase 'great' is bandied about a bit too easily these days. One day Adam Ashley Cooper will be great, as will be Tuqiri, and Mitchell etc etc.
CraigB
Roar Guru
Shahsan - I wasn't going to give you the satisfaction, but I suggest you look at the Latham games again. Several time he was instrumental in big games. Not just his try scoring, but tackling and kicking as well. Go have a look from 2004-05. Then consider he left when he still had plenty to offer.
Shahsan
Guest
How was he great? He looked brilliant and scored some great tries against weak teams or when the cause was lost but I can hardly remember him as a match winner in tight contests or when the situation desperately called for someone to pull brilliance out of the fire. Good, yes, but not great, in my opinion. Would not class him with Burke or Gould, let alone Roff or Roebuck.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
CraigB, Spiro drew all the comments today which has a lot to do with the fact that there's not much to argue about in your assessments. And I thought EXACTLY the same thing watching AACs try. And Shahsan, Latham was a great. He may not have started out that way but he sure ended that way. Giteau burst onto the scene and has been a stayer in the team for a while. Let's hope he rediscovers his mojo and ends up a great too.
Shahsan
Guest
Latham? Great? Greatest flat track bully, perhaps.
George
Guest
CraigB - let us agree to disagree. His performance in the Irish test will determine if your point of view is correct. I am firmly of the opinion his days in the team are numbered when Berrick Barnes is fully fit and I think he knows it. He needs to be disciplined as he is full of himself and he desperately needs a wake up call. He needs to find his form of old plus enjoy playing rugby & not treat it as a job - go back & play club rugby. His game now is boring & he is too one dimensional & very predictable.
CraigB
Roar Guru
thats my point George. I think he has the hunger still and doesn't feel he owns the job. I think he wants it too badly and doesn't back his team mates in. Look at the earlytest this year against Italy and France. He looked the goods, but against superior oppn he seemed to take it all on himself to his and the teams detriment.
George
Guest
CraigB - he needs a wake up call. Unfortunately he believes in his own publicity & self worth and as such being dropped will make him have a good look at himself and get the hunger back and as such become the damaging player he once was (he has lost his flair). His tri nations this year was a shocker - and such bad performances should not be tolerated in sport - you should never own your position & to get the best out of any player they should be aware their position in the team is constantly under review based on performance/results - we do not want a team of non-performers when Eddie Jones & John Connolly coached the team. Team sport is result & performance driven - it is not a permanent secure job - when this is made obvious to all Aussie rugby players , not just the test squad, you will see better player performances in Super 14's as well.
CraigB
Roar Guru
George - I dont think he needs to be dropped, I think he just needs to trust and back the players selected to play alongside him