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.
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.
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.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I can guarantee that the coaches do not, not want him to be a dominant tackler it's much easier to jackal a dominant tackle than a passive tackle. Pilfering is made possible when the support players are too slow. In a dominant tackle, it creates this opportunity because even if support players are on time, they will run to the contact point. When the player is driven back they now need to double back to come through the gate to secure possession. That time they double back is the opportunity to pilfer. The jackaling player is generally in the defensive line and can just come forward and come through the gate rather than doubling back. Now if you make a passive tackle, where the tackled player's momentum is not stopped, but they continue forward, these players will be directly behind and continue through to secure. In order to pilfer, the jackaling player would need to be waiting behind the line as a sweeper. Fairly risky strategy as it leaves you a defender down somewhere. What teams generally do is have the players either side of the tackler attempt a pilfer when they know the tackle as made. If it's a passive tackle, the jackal is the one who needs to double back to come through the gate. A dominant tackle creates better turnover opportunities than a passive one.
Richard Payne
Roar Pro
With Pocock, Fardy and Hooper in the backrow they don't want him to be a dominant tackler. His round the legs style allows the backrow quick access to the ball. His tackling style has been pivotal in the success of the backrow
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Sorry Frontrow that's way off. In 2009 Giteau's tackle completion rate was 86% in test matches. The only time's he made more than one miss in a game was a game where he made 10 and missed 3 and another where he made 8 and missed 2. He did not miss a single tackle on the 2009 EOYT. In 2010 his tackle completion rate was 95% in test matches. He only missed 3 tackles all test season. Giteau has always been an extremely reliable defender. The issue was that in attack in defense he was not dominant enough in contact. Due to this he would "crab" to avoid contact and try and make breaks on the outside shoulder of defenders, which would result in the team being put on the back foot. This was why, not that he was soft. This has not changed. Against SA for example he was turned over 3 times where he was dominated in the tackle every time. He is not a dominant tackler either.
Frontrow
Guest
Yes agreed - and he that really gets mentioned - and he let them get away with more than what he wanted to because the limp ARU treated them as pet projects because the depth was not there... The Giteau and then Cooper fallouts were a result of Deans too often having to tolerate and deal with ego's that though they were bigger than the team and the coach and the governing body who treated them with kiddie gloves because that was about where their maturity was at and in O'Conner's case still is
Frontrow
Guest
I think Giteau can thank Deans - he had a lot of weaknesses in his game - like his defense that was not strong enough for test rugby and he is a much better player now than he was then especially defensively - though he still has the odd missed tackle but way better than he was. He has learned a lot in France and matured as a player and so has his game so I don't think Dean was wrong at all and probably did him a favor as it clearly hurt him and he was a bit bitter as we all know but he went away and worked on his game
Chris
Guest
I comment i read on here recently was you can't be half pregnant - he either bettered them or he didnt. stop sitting on the fence.
MH01
Guest
Gits has matured and with his time in Europe realised he is a 12. Dean's had to deal with a spoilt brat who wanted to play 10. Deans problem was too many spoilt brats, something the current team is lacking.
Rooinek
Roar Rookie
Yes, Matt Giteau is playing pretty well and he's forged a good understanding with Bernard Foley, but I still think you Aussies missed a trick in not selecting Samu Kerevi as your inside centre for this tournament. Kerevi was nothing short of sensational in this year's S15 and bust tackles almost at will. Yes, they're two very different types of players and I won't dispute that Giteau adds some different strings to the bow, but if it was me I'd pick Kerevi in a heartbeat.
Simoc
Guest
Except of course Wilkinson never was, never will be the greatest flyhalf of all time. You can count the number of game breaking runs he made in test matches without passing zero. But a great kicker yes and good defender. Certainly not a patch on Carter, and you'de pick Larkam ahead as well if you had a goal kicker available.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What is better? He's not making more line breaks, setting up more tries/line breaks and his defence has always been good.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Prior to the RWC, O'Conner played almost every test on the wing. He never once spoke of wanting to play in another position. He actually played most of the 2011 Super Rugby season at 10. This was due to injury to Willie Ripia. When Ripia returned O'Conner floated between 12 and 15. This seemed to depend on who was available in what positions. Super Rugby teams have squad limitations and thus, players may play in a number of different positions. Still, until the 2011 November tests O'Conner only ever started a test either at wing or fullback. And other than 4 tests at fly half he has never started a test in any other position. Despite the "brand" comments he seemed to happily fit in where it suited the team. Giteau was a 12 who spoke of wanting to play 10 constantly despite Cooper being considered the best 10. From 2008-2011 the Wallabies won 37% of matches Giteau played 10. From 2010-2011 the Wallabies won 71% of matches that Cooper played 10. (I have excluded 2008-2009 as he did not start a test at 10). Despite the fact that the Wallabies fared better without him at 10, Giteau still publicly professed his desire to be playing there.
Playmaker
Guest
JOC had and still has an attitude problem. I agree I wouldn't have picked JOC either, especially after the sleep in and maybe he needed Gits to fix his alarm clock, but we are talking about Gits not JOC.
PeterK
Roar Guru
his best was in 2008/9. He is better now than when he left in 2011 which is a fair to say he improved.
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
I remember in the beginning of 2011 of an interview I watched where a lot of people were talking of how great Gitau would be in the RC, and how his presence shifts things in his own team and in the opposition. So I was really buttered we got to miss out on what could've happened. But even through that he has continued to adapt and become the best player he can be. And that shows through his performances so far.
rl
Guest
Sure, McCabe and Ant F had their limitations, but you could never question their heart. Left everything (and more) out on the paddock. Not sure the same could have been said of Gits at the time.
Richard Payne
Roar Pro
You serious? He was playing 12 for the Force at the time..... Also 2011 was the year he made the brand comments. Not sure you have a leg to stand on there!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Because JOC never played like that. He was a winger who played only on the wing at that time. Never spoke about a desire to play in another position.
Richard Payne
Roar Pro
If that was the criteria being used then explain the selection of JOC. I reckon Giteau, if selected, would have understood the inner workings of an alarm clock.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I don't understand how he has improved. His best is still in the past.
Playmaker
Guest
The team situation in 2011 and now is totally different.Gits situation in 2011 and now is totally different. In 2011 , Gits thought he was the most important player in the team. In 2015, Gits has realized he is part of the team and is thankful for a second chance. The right attitude is a wonderful thing and once someone has the right attitude, you can work together.