- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
It has been the million-dollar question each time southern-hemisphere rugby stars emigrate to the north. And it’s fair to say that most established ‘brands’ didn’t deliver up north. Or more exactly, they didn’t live up to local expectations, which are huge when they sign a Jerry Collins, a Carl Hayman, or a Matt Giteau.
Our northern hemisphere buddies expect 90m tries, dominant scrummaging for 80 minutes, or 40m burst runs pushing tacklers away with one arm, from players with not only a handsome pedigree but also the label of Made In New Zealand, South Africa or Australia.
When they realise that our Down Under boys are normal human beings after all, the disappointment is huge.
Hence the question: can Matt Giteau become the new king of French rugby?
First of all, the man still has the raw talent to break any defence in world rugby: at 29 years of age, Giteau is still in his prime and has the legs, hands and vision to lead Toulon’s attack, either from the midfield or the No. 10 position.
His first Top 14 home game at Stade Mayol on Tuesday night was the perfect opportunity for the Wallaby star, and Giteau already showed he had something Toulon’s supporters love: the right ‘give it all’ attitude indispensable to success at the southern-French club.
Too often, they have felt cheated by players being mere shadows of who they were at home, accusing them of merely coming to sunny South France to enjoy the dividends of a last big contract.
Well, wrong place, guys. In a country which prides itself for playing one of the toughest strands of rugby on the planet, you’d better give 100 percent both at training and during the match if you want to get the respect of the locals.
As well as learn French, say you like baguettes, and drink your coffee black.
Matt Giteau did that on Tuesday against Agen. Despite winning comfortably 34-12, Giteau ran the ball all match long, and almost scored a try on his own in the dying moments.
After a good 65 minutes at inside centre alongside Fiji’s Gaby Lovobalavu, he played the last 15 at fly-half replacing Toulon’s very own Jonny Wilkinson.
The shoes were big but the Australian playmaker did enough to earn praise from his coach and home crowd alike, showing he had the je ne sais quoi to unlock any defence.
It’s still very early days but Matt Giteau seems to have what it takes to seduce and conquer first Toulon, then Gallic rugby. His name sounds French, he can already speak (well, mostly tweet) a few words of the language, and he genuinely seems to enjoy life on the Mediterranean coastline (who wouldn’t?).
That’s all the French need to adopt you. Want more? What, unconditional love? Well, for that, help them win against the enemy, preferably an old foe from the south with, if possible, a looming personal rivalry between yourself and an ‘enemy’ player…
Hang on a second, there is one. Luke McAlister. He is a Kiwi, plays 10-12 and is currently running the show for France’s south-west giants Toulouse, aka, the Crusaders of Europe.
It’s on.
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.