Matt Giteau’s Wallabies career has ended in despair, with scans revealing the 103-Test warrior has a broken ankle.
Giteau lasted just 10 minutes of Australia’s 42-8 loss to the All Blacks on Saturday night and will play no further part in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship campaign.
Turning 34 next month, Giteau is shattered in the knowledge that he has almost certainly played his last match for Australia.
Giteau made a big financial sacrifice to put his country before French club side Toulon, where the midfield playmaker is among the highest-paid players in world rugby.
He made no secret that he returned home to Australia during the French Top 14 season to have “one last crack” at Bledisloe Cup glory.
But that dream, and his leg, was crushed at ANZ Stadium, with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika on Sunday confirming Giteau – along with fellow back Rob Horne, who likely requires a shoulder reconstruction – will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship.
“Matt’s got a bit of a break in his leg at the top of his leg and a bit of a fracture in his ankle. Good job on his leg,” Cheika said.
“He’s disappointed but he’s also very realistic.
“He’s a pro. He knows that he’s still got to get himself right and get back to his club commitments for later in the season so that’s what he’ll be doing.”
Despite his status as one of Australia’s modern-day greats, Giteau never got his hands on the silverware that matter most.
In addition to featuring in 10 unsuccessful Bledisloe Cup campaigns, Giteau twice suffered World Cup final heartache as a member of Australia’s teams that lost the 2003 decider in extra time to England in Sydney and to the All Blacks last year at Twickenham.
The two biggest trophies Giteau landed in Australia were last year’s Rugby Championship and the Super Rugby crown with the Brumbies in 2004.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Old CP can't handle his claims being disproven so he resorts to playing the man.
Vic rugby
Guest
I just hope it was worth it to him to finish an outstanding career with those last two games.
Buzzard
Guest
He was horrendous when Deans tossed him out in 2011 . Lost games against Samoa and England ( with a missed kick 30 meters out directly in front ).,.Was a troublemaker and way way out of form in 2011. .He needed to go
Cynical Play
Guest
Flip Flop.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No I didn't. I said he's a professional and shouldn't just be expected to retire because he was unwanted by us. I dont have at problem with Giteau going to earn better money either. I disagree with him being held up as some sort of martyr on the basis of giving up money, when his situation has allowed him to earn much more money than those who stayed. Is that simple of enough for you to comprehend?
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
TWAS you flip flop like Trump. You championed Eddie the Ego as being a hero for leading England against Australia. Thought he was perfectly OK to be a paid mercenary, but not Gits it seems. You accused me of not wanting Ego to earn a quid, which was pure TWAS bs, but you resent Gits earning a quid. I knew you were the kind of flog Put the boot into a fallen hero.. Appalling!
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
TWAS you flip flop like Trump. You championed Eddie the Ego as being a hero for leading England against Australia. Thought he was perfectly OK to be a paid mercenary, but not Gits it seems. You accused me of not wanting Ego to earn a quid, which was pure TWAS bs, but you resent Gits earning a quid. I knew you were the kind of flog to boot the boot into a fallen hero.. Appalling!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
How was he tossed aside? Not selected in one squad? If he had played well he would have been selected again in the future.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Robbie Deans failed to name him captain and he chucked a tanty over that - there was a photo here at the time showing just that. He didn't think Robbie Deans knew enough to teach him anything, evidently - a common view among the cognoscenti king makers occupying Wallaby jerseys at the time (and still). They didn't feature on winners plaques on any rugby trophies but they did excel at having coaches sacked. Do you not remember the churlish twit-for-brainses from him and Mitchell when Robbie Deans lost his job? This one rattled up more metres run than anyone anytime since statistics were collected, from sideline to sideline. He specialised in crowding out his outside men, attempting grubber kicks as the forest of legs appeared before him, then scowling at his team mates for making him do these things.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
He didn't leave because of money. He left because Deans tossed him aside. A brumby great and a great wallaby, a smart and tough player that will sorely missed by rugby fans Australia wide. End of an era, last of the smart Aussie backs...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Giteau had a great test career that probably missed its peak (so could have been even better). Not sure whether it was a result of his own ego, or poor advice that had him trying to be a player that he wasn't. Regardless he still had a great test career.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You do realise that "pay cut" still leaves earning more than they were when they were here, right?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nope. Not copping that. He left to take 5 seasons of big money while others stayed for less. If he's made an extra couple of million, how much sacrifice is giving up $200k to make $10k each test. He's still making more than he would if he had stayed. Having his cake and eating it to while you all hold him up as Mr Selfless for it.
Ralph
Guest
Thanks Matt for all the magic moments. Wishing all the best for you and your family.
CUW
Guest
well, MURAD probably has no hair by now , with Toulon losing their first match last night and one of his prized-assets injured and out for a long time. just as he got back 1/2penny , he loses Giteau....
Cynical Play
Guest
You are ungracious and ungrateful. You wouldn't know a true Wallaby if it fell out of your pants. You prove my point (see above post).
taylorman
Guest
Dan Carter was the same, his mind kept asking for things his body couldnt deliver on so he kept going down. Yes they persvered with him and luckily got a 3-4 match golden patch out of him when they most needed it. But he kept breaking down over the last few seasons, whether it be contact injury or otherwise. Giteau is that sort of player. Stretches himself till he breaks.
Terry
Guest
Only because they would be sacked buy the owner if did the not take a paycut. . Stop letting the " mercenaries play the victims " They should take a paycut.. A gold jumper is worth more than any amount of money....
Cynical Play
Guest
Like I said, ...how's it looking up your own Rs
Paul
Guest
Mercenary? You do realise that Giteau, Mitchell and probably the other supposed mercenaries are the only ones in the team actually taking a paycut to be there in the gold. You think the rest of the team are doing it for free?