Matt Giteau’s starting position with the Wallabies is in question for the first time in his brilliant career as Robbie Deans toys with the idea of deploying an-all Queensland midfield trio against the Springboks.
Giteau, a backline mainstay since 2004, won the John Eales Medal last year before being one of Australia’s outstanding performers on the ill-fated grand slam tour of the British Isles.
A victim of his own versatility and class, Giteau is often unfairly made the scapegoat for Wallabies defeats.
Giteau has again come under fire during Australia’s up-and-down start to the 2010 Test season.
Despite scoring all of Australia’s 20 points, including two tries, he bore the brunt for the shock loss to England in Sydney because he missed a routine late penalty goal attempt that would have won the Wallabies the match.
Yet, with a strike rate above 80 per cent over the past season and a half, Giteau remains among the world’s most reliable goalkickers.
But with first-choice five-eighth Quade Cooper returning from suspension and Anthony Faingaa emerging as a viable inside centre option, Deans admits Giteau is no longer deemed an automatic starter for the Wallabies.
“Clearly we’ve got choice now, which is great and the group understands that now,” Deans said on Sunday.
“They’re all helping each other, all working hard now to ensure that we have a squad that regardless of who is called on, we’ll be good to go. That’s what the game’s about.”
Giteau’s teammates were full of admiration for the 84-Test veteran for fronting up two days after the death of his grandfather to direct the Australian attack in Saturday night’s 20-10 loss to New Zealand in Christchurch.
“It was a big effort from him,” Adam Ashley-Cooper said.
“It was certainly a true test of character and he showed a lot of courage.”
And while not concerned with his form, for Deans the issue is deciding what game style he wants to implement in Australia’s next Tri Nations Test – now all but a dead rubber – in three weeks against South Africa in Pretoria.
Certain to recall Cooper, Deans is still favouring using Giteau outside him, especially because Cooper’s long passing to the wide-running Giteau was so effective in the Wallabies’ comprehensive 30-13 defeat of the Springboks two weeks ago in Brisbane.
But Deans is also considering persisting with the more direct Faingaa after his “fantastic” starting debut opposing destructive All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu.
Faingaa, Cooper and halfback Will Genia formed one of the most potent 12-10-9 combinations in the Super 14 this season with the Reds and Deans must decide whether they can be equally dangerous at international level.
Ashley-Cooper, who partnered Faingaa in the centres on Saturday night, has no doubt the two could prove a deadly duo given further time together.
“For a new combination up against the best in the world, I thought we did really well and worked well together,” Ashley-Cooper said.
“So it’s pretty exciting to see how that combination can grow over the next couple of years.
“He’s got huge potential and I’m pretty sure Deansy was pretty happy with how he went.
“I was particularly happy with how he went and so was the backline. It was really good to have two ball-carriers in that midfield to get us over that advantage line.”
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
The playing of players out of position is tantamount to suicide at the test level and Deans continues to do this with regularity. In the last two test I would have had Barnes at fly half and Giteau at IC and if he hadn't performed in the first test I would have dropped him to the bench with AF in the side like he was this test. I too am mystified as to Deans' lack of use of the bench, Genia had a shocker and this was apparent at halftime that he was struggling I counted on numerous occassions at the ruck where genia was standing over the top of the ball that was clearly out of the ruck and not passing the ball out. For the life of me can't see what advantage this is to the attacking side. Does not quick ruck play give an advantage to the attacking side and put the defensive side under pressure. So I ask the ? why would Genia stand over the ball waiting??? Where has his quick decisive delivery disappeared to. Has it been coached out of him? When he first appeared he was quick and sharp, in the last test he looked pedestrian, like a 109 year old George Gregan. The only experiment I would try is to put Elsom at 8 and Higginbotham at 6 to see if Elsom could improve (allthough I doubt it) and sooner than later tap him on the shoulder and tel him to give up the captaincy so that Pocock can assume the role.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I say again. Robbie needs to bite the bloody bullet and allow players to settle into their best positions or we will get found out next year in Tri Nations and again the RWC. For my money Gits is our best 12. I prefer AAC at 15 but he's okay at 13 too. Likewise Kurtley is getting good at 15 but would be okay at 13. And so on and so forth. We need to get those combinations happening NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mudskipper
Guest
Giteau has never asked for guarantees.... Continual cyber bashing targeted at one of the Wallabies best players doesn't help the team... If other players were as skilful in their roles as Giteau is at either 10 or 12 the Wallabies would be winning Bledisloe cups more… However it was great to see Anthony Faingaa play well also Kurtley Beale. Now can A.Faingaa play 13? JOC on the wing is his best position to date. Anyone else notice all the dirty shots Richie McCaw had on Pocock? I suspect Pocock is getting under his skin. Well done Dave. Much better Refereeing this weekend.
Denby
Guest
Yes, has was out of form but was getting it back when Deans decides to move him to flyhalf, a position he is not suited to and does not play his best rugby at. While Cooper was away, Barnes at flyhalf and Gits at inside would have been a better solution. The Wallabies would probably have lost both games by a similar margin but at least the wallabies would be giving a real backup flyhalf game time and keep Gits in his right position which will grow his confidence. All this business of playing people out of position is really hurting the Wallabies.
bennalong
Guest
Giteau is an inside centre, trained by Steve Larkham in that position. Unfortunately, his skills for that position did not fit him for flyhalf but that's where he's played most of his footie. He suffers then from seniority (yet to answer Craig B he's profited from high-up support) and I agree with Dexter, he should be told he is not in contention for 10. Barnes has played well in the past and needs mentorship to regain confidence. He'll continue at 10 for the Tahs whereas Giteau will be at inside for the Brumbies. Fortunately Quade shares Larkham's long pass and willingness to play on the line and with his growing confidence I believe he'll learn to use Giteau as Larkham did. This doesn't mean AF isn't the right player for certain games, but I'd keep Gits at inside. This gives time for QC to improve his kicking. Steve Larkham is returning as assistant coach for the Brumbies and could be valuable in that role for the Wallabies
RedsNut
Guest
Gits certainly seems to have gone off the boil a bit, then don't most players have slumps in their game? Leaving the Western Force seems not to have been a good move for him.
Denby
Guest
This article is a joke right? Giteau is a hugely talented test player who kicks with an excellent record and has great foot work. He is no flyhalf, but an excellent inside centre. To drop him for AF is rediculous. AF is a joke of a test player, look at him again when he packs on some weight or learns some foot work and learns to tackle Nonu. The only defensive line he broke was the WB's when he jumped out of line allowing the AB's to score their second try.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I don't understand what the Wallaby set up expected to happen with Giteau at 10. He wasn't any good at 10 last year, he wasn't even first 10 at the Brumbies this year. He showed on Saturday night, that when he has a hard and fast runner off his shoulder, he can't even seem to get it together enough to hit him with a pass that is backward. This seems to be because he is not used to someone running so hard and straight, and also because Giteau's first move seems to be sideways/backwards, making it hard to pick up a runner off your hip. I think in both games against the All Blacks, we were void of any idea about cracking their defensive line. They fanned out at the ruck, so why didn't we pick and drive more? Why didn't we put in some little kicks? Not all the time, and maybe not because Giteau seems to always hit legs when he tries to thread the needle, but it is an idea isn't it? Something different. They were waiting for our one off runners wider, and we kept hitting the brick wall again and again expecting to breach it.
CraigB
Roar Guru
Does that means up until now there HAS been guarantee's for Giteau?
inkosi
Roar Rookie
I thought AF had a fantastic game on Sat, did take him about 15 mins to settle but i guess that's to be expected. It also does what RD's has been after, gives more options, hopefully putting pressure on the incumbent starters that their place isn't guaranteed any more and there is someone willing and able to step up! Still if Gits was to be relegated to the bench who would have the same strike rate with the boot?
Dexter William
Roar Guru
The positive out of losing these two tests against the AB is that: From now, there is no question as to who the Wallabies need at flyhalf. The only choice is Quad Cooper. We should never let Giteau contest the flyhalf position again. IMO if we ever do need a replacement for Cooper, we should play Barnes there. At least Barnes would not stand in Dunedin waiting for Genia to pass to him when the match is in Christchurch. Barnes kicks too much recently after he started at the Tahs - same problem with KB. If RD can coach Barnes from putting ball to boot under pressure, he would be a competent reserve flyhalf.