With nearly a century of Tests to his name, Matt Giteau is hardly David to Sam Burgess’ Goliath – but he’s ready to take down the giant all the same at the Rugby World Cup.
At 85kg and 178cm, Giteau gives up nearly 20cm and a staggering 31kg in his match-up with the powerful Burgess – should the pair, as expected, be picked as opposing inside centres for the all-important Pool A clash between England and Australia on Saturday (Sunday AEST) at Twickenham.
When asked about the size mismatch, Giteau laughs.
“I think everyone has size on me,” said Giteau.
“That’s nothing new. I’m used to always playing guys that are bigger than me.
“It’s just a matter of trying to deal with that and looking for my own areas that I can improve on or how I can impose myself on the game.”
Giteau has donned the Wallaby gold 97 times and would be in line to bring up a century in the quarter-finals should he hold his spot and Australia reach the knockout games.
In his 13-year career at the top, he has taken on opponents of all sizes – and come out on top more often than not.
“Defensively, Gits is really dogged,” explains backs coach Stephen Larkham.
“He puts his body on the line 100 per cent of the time so it will be a great match-up.
“He’s certainly not going to take a backwards step.”
Burgess was a controversial selection in England’s World Cup squad, having played just one Test before the announcement, following his switch from the NRL at the end of last year.
Ahead of his second Test start against Wales on Saturday night, Burgess had played less than two hours of international rugby.
However, at this World Cup, he has been praised for sparking England’s attack with direct running and offloads – firstly from the bench against Fiji, and then from the starting whistle against Wales.
He’s been learning on the job, recently admitting some of the laws of the game are still foreign to him, but Giteau is impressed by how impressively the former South Sydney star has taken to the 15-a-side game.
Giteau likened Burgess’ impact to that of another code-hopping star – brilliant All Black Sonny Bill Williams.
“He’s very similar to Sonny, not in the way they play because they may play a little different, but they are both great athletes,” Giteau said.
“Just because of his size, he attracts defenders. He’s an athlete and he played a bit of backrow for Bath.
“I think he understands the rucks and the style of game that they’re trying to play.
“Defensively, he’s always going to be solid. And in attack, he adds a different element with his offloading game.”
Peter Hughes
Roar Rookie
Nick - no i think I'm being very fair to Burgess & the media. Burgess has played 2 Tests and was very ordinary in attack in both - he's very slow for a rugby centre Plz read Paul Cully analysis of Burgess (SMH last Saturday) defensive work against Wales & Fiji - not good either. He didn't shut down the midfield against Wales - in fact they won the game by going around him & to the wings. His slowness & inexperience in defense is a liability & I'm expecting Aust to exploit it far better than Wales did.
NickSA
Guest
Peter Hughes Don't you think you are being a little unfair? I think he was decent against fiji and wales. Specifically wales, he was chosen to shutdown the center threat that wales posed and that is exactly what he did. Wales had to change strategies second half to deal with burgess. I think the media, especially the british media is hyping him up but that is not the players fault. I do think he is overrated by the media, he is no super star but the man is a good player and is effective for certain situations.
Peter Hughes
Roar Rookie
This concentration on Burgess as some kind of special threat is just a sad JOKE imo. Exactly what has Burgess done in Rugby to deserve it? - huh. Apparently Burgess played well as a Prop for South Sydney last year - so what? Where's the relevance from this 2nd rate Aussie club competition He was a zero against both Fiji & Wales over the week. In fact, as Paul Cully (SMH), points out - Burgess is a major weakness in this English team. Being so slow for a rugby centre the issue is whether Burgess can cope with Giteau, Turindrani, Folau, Cooper, Foley or even Hooper.
Not Bothered
Guest
Barritt has played more than 2 games and shouldnt be judged on 2.
m0b1us
Guest
Barritt was the worst player on the pitch by some distance in both England's pool games so far. If he makes it into the run-on 15 for Saturday then even more questions are going to be asked around the competence of the coaching staff. It's basically sh1t or bust for England. I thought for 50 minutes England had Wales by the throat but kept letting them back in. If the Wallabies can weather the storm then I think they have the class to win. However, in the last two EOYT, England have lost against NZ/SA but pulled it out of the bag both times against the Wallabies. Even in the loss in 2012, England were the stronger side.
whydoncha
Guest
As I recall there was a small forward, starting at Norths who played for Queensland. Bear with me it's coming back. I think his first name was Trevor. That's right I think his nickname was "the axe". There was another small forward who played for NSW, and if I rightly recall his nickname was "cement". I also recall many pint sized half backs who could tackle anything that came their way. Peter Sterling, Geoff Toovey, Alan Langer. Does anyone recall those names?
Not Bothered
Guest
Then I would pair up Slade and Barritt. Also, if Joseph is out then what a mistake it was to put in Burgess over Burrell. It made me laugh, apparently Lancaster is available for the Lions. Why the F would they chose the weakest coach of the 4? Lancaster has had over 3 years and imo has shown that he shouldnt have been chosen over Mallett and Smith. What balls-up that decision was. I could not believe that they had opted to keep Lancaster over such high-profile and proven coaches. Those coaches would have this team in MUCH better shape imo. These guys have coached with the best coaches, with the best players at every level. But no, they opted for Lancaster. F00ls gold imo. Now they go into a WC without proven entities Burrell, Hartley and Tuilagi, opted not to select one of the worlds best opensides in Armitage and instead select Slade without appropriate warm up games and a guy whos played half the season at 6 after proving a dud at 12 in the 12 jumper! Ffs, SBW was in sensational form and had played 3 seasons of union and NZ STILL didnt risk him against the bigger sidesin 2011. Burgess struggles at 12, does OK at 6 and then is selected for the national team at 12 after his club had already found him lacking ability there. WTF!? Lancaster has mismanaged this team since 2012 imo and if they get knocked out in the pools they should wonder why one of the strongest player pools in the world has gone from thrashing the #1 side in 2012 to using unproven, no, proven failures at 12 and at risk of being knocked out in 2015 at a home WC in the pool stage.
Paul
Guest
Gits the bigger they are the harder they fall... Put the ball behind him then see how quick he is should not be a problem just watch his cheap shot league tackles.
Mike
Guest
I haven't seen much sign that Giteau is bothered by anyone when defending.
Steve
Guest
Joseph is out of the round games -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Not Bothered
Guest
I would be seriously disapointed if Burgess is in the 15. Imo he gave a pretty good demo that he was out of place in the last test. J.Joseph at 13 and either Slade or Barritt at 12. Burgess shouldnt be in the 31 imo.
Not Bothered
Guest
I would be seriously disapointed if Burgess is