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Wallaby coach Robbie Deans showed courage, conviction, and vision when he sacked Rocky Elsom as captain for James Horwill, and left Matt Giteau out of the Rugby World Cup campaign. Three days later, Deans named Giteau the Barbarian inside-centre for the clash with Canada at Skilled Stadium on the Gold Coast next Friday night.
The game is viewed as another Wallaby warm-up for theWorld Cup.
But the selection is more like a Deans out-of-character brain explosion that achieves nothing, other than attract another unnecessary headline, especially after refusing to give the reasons why he axed Giteau from the Cup squad in the first place.
Having bitten the bullet, what’s the point of resuming Giteau’s career, even on a minor scale, when it’s over?
To repeat Giteau’s twitter quote after Deans told him he was out of the Cup, and long before the 30-man squad was announced – “Thank you ballboys, thank you linesman. That’s it”.
And “That’s it” should be exactly that – the end of the road.
In the process, Deans has missed a golden opportunity to see what the exciting 22-year-old Queensland inside-centre Ben Tapaui can offer in good company.
He produced plenty in the Super Rugby final, keeping the two classy Crusader centres in check – Sonny Bill Williams, and Robbie Fruean – despite a big height and weight disadvantage.
A David and two Goliaths confrontation – Tapaui 180cm – 90kgs, SBW 191cms – 108kgs, and Fruean 190cm – 104kgs.
At least Tapaui will come off the bench on Friday night, to prove his credentials.
Six of the 30-man World Cup squad will be on duty against Canada – Rob Horne, Drew Mitchell, Berrick Barnes, Nathan Sharpe, James Slipper, and Tatafu Polota Nau.
Sharpe apart, the other five are all returning from a long time on the sideline, and desperately need game time – Horne (elbow), Mitchell (ankle), Barnes (concussion), Slipper (ankle), and Polota Nau (knee).
Also on duty, three who were unlucky to miss RWC selection – winger-full back Lachie Turner, lock Sitaleki Timani, and flanker Matt Hodgson – victims of an overkill three half-backs, and three hookers.
Half-back Phipps can count himself very fortunate, costing Turner his deserved chance. Hooker Saia Faingaa also lucky, tipping out Timani, or Hodgson as the only back-up for champion flanker David Pocock.
This is such an important game, especially for the returnees, you’d think the ARU and Fox would make sure it was televised. Wrong.
What has Fox scheduled for Friday night?
A replay of that dreadful recent Wallaby performance at Eden Park. Skilled Stadium would be a far better alternative, right across the board.
There are times when you wonder if the decision-makers really care, or just incompetent.
The Australian Barbarians lineup:
Lachie Turner (Waratahs), Rod Davies (Reds), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Matt Giteau (Brumbies), Drew Mitchell (Waratahs), Berrick Barnes (Waratahs), Nick Phipps (Rebels), Pat McCutcheon (Waratahs), Matt Hodgson (Force), David Dennis (Waratahs), Nathan Sharpe (Force – captain), Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs), James Slipper (Reds), Tatafu Polota Nau (Waratahs), and Ben Daley (Reds).
The bench – James Hanson (Reds), Pek Cowan (Force) Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Beau Robinson (Reds), Ben Tapaui (Reds), Luke Morahan (Reds), and Mark Gerrard (Rebels).