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Robbie Deans must put aside the protected species that we know as Matt Giteau and drop him for the upcoming Wales game. The basis for this decision is poor form, poor decision-making, and a sloppy goalkicking technique.
Giteau’s performance, in the light of his overt, public desire for the greatest responsibilities was poor. Coupled with the team’s success in giving him more than enough “raw ingredients” with which to bake a victory, he failed to deliver, and that is the principle reason for the defeat.
As the playmaker (60 percent of possession and territory), goalkicker (four goals well within range), one of three or four senior players, the most experienced back on the field, and Vice Captain, he was always going to be either hero or villain.
Matthew Giteau is sportsman, and as such, is only as good as his last game, not a protected species.
The vast majority of sportsmen suffer the humiliation of being dropped. The best bounce back and are better players because of it.
Robbie Deans has progressively sacrificed every sacred cow except Matt Giteau.
The backline for Wales should be:
9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Hynes
12 O’Connor
13 Ioane
14 Mitchell
15 AAC
with Burgess, Giteau and Beale on the bench.
OR
If the coaches believe that new combinations will gel sufficiently in a week:
9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Turner
12 O’Connor
13 AAC
14 Ioane
15 Hynes
with Burgess, Giteau and Beale on the bench
This second and much bolder backline transitions from the current one to the best one. The next back line after Wales should be:
9 Genia
10 Barnes
12 O’Connor
13 AAC
11 Ioane
14 Hynes
15 Cooper
Bench would be Burgess, Giteau and Turner.
The logic for this:
Genia attacking, kicking and defending option: never gives up
Barnes playmaker, kicker defender: never gives up
O’Connor attacker close to the ball, great foot work, good defender, will play S14 in 2010 at 12 so why change him: never gives up
AAC most experienced of a young back line so needed nearer to the action, excellent in attack, defence and kicking: never gives up
Ioane quick elusive and strong winger who can slot into back line at 13 when moves are on or during multi phase play: never gives up
Hynes, Quick and strong and another fullback never gives up.
Cooper Good kicker, elusive broken field runner, great pass when he comes into the line: and (YOU GUESSED IT) never gives up.
The “never gives up” is demonstrated in different ways on the field in the ferocity of their play (such as Hynes’ tackling, AAC’s driving runs to the try line with three defenders on him) or O’Connor keeping trying things when he was having a shocker against the All Blacks this year or Quade Cooper reining in his wild child behaviour and growing throughout this tour.
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.