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Cheika to toast unlikely ally as Giteau soars

13th October, 2015
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Matt Giteau (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
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13th October, 2015
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It is not a great reflection on the career of former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans when his most valuable contribution to Australian rugby is only now coming to fruition.

The decision not to include Matt Giteau in the 2011 World Cup was a controversial one from the get go.

Already on the outer, Deans effectively stamped Giteau’s papers following his role in the Wallabies’ shock loss to Samoa prior to the announcement of the 2011 squad.

With Giteau not part of the squad Deans was forced to select a centre pairing of Anthony Fainga’a and Pat McCabe for the semi-final fixture against New Zealand.

Australia’s five-eighth in that game, Quade Cooper, needed to be the mutant prodigy of Carlos Spencer and Stephen Larkham to generate any attacking flair with a tandem featuring two men with an inability to pass and catch.

In a true sliding doors moment, Deans’ controversial decision to leave Giteau out of the 2011 World Cup squad may be the defining moment in both his, and current Wallabies coach Michael Cheika’s legacies.

It is not unreasonable to consider that had Giteau been selected for the 2011 World Cup and played on in Australia until at least the 2013 British Lions series he may not be the player he has become today.

While Giteau was a quality player deserving of selection in 2011 there is little doubt he has returned after his ongoing stint in the Top 14 as a far more rounded footballer.

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Giteau has been a revelation for the Wallabies since becoming the beneficiary of new rules implemented to ensure his participation in the World Cup. He has brought a competitive poise and calmness to the Wallabies’ game that was previously lacking in games of substance.

His experience, kicking game, defensive presence and ability to make the advantage line have combined to make him as valuable an asset to the team as the more recognised David Pocock or Israel Folau.

Right from the Sydney Bledisloe Cup clash he demonstrated his worth to the team by saving two tries with scrambling defence and another when he cleaned up an errant pass lying precariously within the in-goal area.

His ability to mask mistakes both with the ball and without it have proven his greatest attribute to the 2015 Wallabies.

Once the dominant ball player in any football side, Giteau has introduced a restrained quality to his game since coming back from France.

Playing so much football outside Jonny Wilkinson has no doubt helped Giteau learn to pick his spots and find more subtle ways from which to influence a game.

He has learnt how to become an effective foil for his No.10 and it is this quality that has helped forge such a terrific partnership with Bernard Foley.

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With Giteau behind him, Foley has free reign to take on the defensive line knowing that his No.12 has the ability to orchestrate the next three phases or take the ball on himself.

This has not only freed up Foley but provided him with more space from which to work.

Giteau has also returned a tougher, more durable footballer after seasons of plugging away in the European winters.

Since his return he has marked up against Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Burgess and George North and bettered each of them with his grass-cutting tackling style and ability to dart across the gain line.

Giteau is no doubt playing hurt but in doing so he is setting a standard in toughness for the rest of team to meet.

If the Wallabies can continue to defy the odds and shock the world come October 31 then every Australian should join Cheika and Giteau in toasting the most unlikely of men in Deans.

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