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Australia's Matt Giteau, right, fails to handle the ball with pressure from Samoa's George Pisi during their rugby union test match in Sydney, Sunday, July 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
There are moves to recall dumped Wallaby Matt Giteau if Pat McCabe (dislocated shoulder), Rob Horne (fractured cheekbone), or Anthony Faingaa (severe concussion) are sent home from the Rugby World Cup. No, no, no, no, no.
The disruptive Giteau, involved in two player-power sackings of Brumby coaches David Nucifora and Andy Friend, would have a devastating effect on Wallaby morale, even after the runaway 67-5 win over the USA.
Flogging the Americans could never make up for losing to Ireland 15-6 the week before, leaving the Wallabies a minefield to negotiate with probably the Springboks, All Blacks and England to beat in the play-offs to win a record third RWC.
Had the Wallabies beaten Ireland it was probably Wales, England, and the All Blacks to hoist “Bill” – a very costly loss.
So the Wallabies don’t need a destabiliser as they try to pick up the pieces.
Nor a Giteau who has also lost his ability to run straight, make a break, time a pass, and be a team player as he was four years ago when he was rightfully rated one of the world’s best centres.
Besides, any replacement would be a support player with the starting backline settled now Berrick Barnes is back in business and in full flight.
It’s been a couple of years since Giteau’s been in full flight, the reason why he lost his Test berth in the first place, as well as having an attitude problem.
That makes Queenslander Ben Tapaui by far the better bet. At 22, and a specialist inside centre with a huge future, Tapaui would gain invaluable experience being in the Wallaby touring environment surrounded by the aura of a World Cup.
Tapaui would sit on the bench as part of the back-ups to Will Genia (9), Quade Cooper (10), Digby Ioane (11), Berrick Barnes (12), Adam Ashley-Cooper (13), James O’Connor (14), and Kurtley Beale (15).
If selectors reckon Tapaui’s too big a risk, and they’d be blinkered if they do, veteran Stirling Mortlock’s bullocky running and impregnable defence would be more beneficial than Giteau. More importantly, Mortlock is a revered team man, and former skipper.
The selectors – Robbie Deans, Jim Williams, and Nucifora – have been forced into lateral thinking with the injury toll mounting rapidly.
On top of McCabe, Horne, and Faingaa – Wycliff Palu, Beale, and O’Connor have hamstring problems; Ashley-Cooper, and Cooper ankle injuries; Mitchell and skipper James Horwill are suffering general soreness – while concerns remain over David Pocock’s lower back, a difficult injury to treat.
If all three are sent home to be replaced, selectors must cover Pocock with a specialist openside flanker they deemed unimportant in the original Cup squad of 30, leaving behind Matt Hodgson, and Beau Robinson.
Ben McCalman isn’t the answer, but Phil Waugh would be as I mentioned yesterday when the 31-year-old bowed out of all rugby with a grand final loss to Eastwood at Concord, ending Sydney University’s six successive premiership run 19-16 in extra time.
Waugh’s still got it, and with 79 caps to his credit has the experience to be the best alterative to Pocock who is, without doubt, the biggest loss to the Wallabies in the last two games.
It would also mean Deans will have to change from his now accepted 5-2 forwards-backs bench to 4-3 if Pocock remains unavailable to accommodate backs Mitchell, Tapaui, and Luke Burgess.
The next two days will be full of interest to see which path the selectors tread