Giteau is Deans's man
PlanetRugby, Monday 17th December 2007
Matt Giteau is important to Robbie Deans
After months of speculation it looks highly likely that Western Force utility back Matt Giteau will take over the reins in the absence of Stephen Larkham as Wallaby fly-half.
Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has indicated that "Kid Dynamite", as Giteau is affectionately known, would feature prominently in his plans to create stability in a back-line that has lost 241 Tests' worth of experience in Stephen Larkham and George Gregan.
Giteau is an experienced campaigner with 51 Test caps to his name and is regarded highly by Deans.
"You have lost a great player in George Gregan and a great player in Stephen Larkham, and also those important leadership points," Deans told the Daily Telegraph on Monday.
"I'd be very disappointed if Giteau wasn't playing to a standard where he became a solution to those problems.
"I think he can do that, and most probably in the five-eighth role, at ten or twelve," added Deans.
"He's a player that can play in any team [in the world]," added Deans.
The other challenge for Deans will be to find Giteau a suitable half-back partner, which is a position that is still definitely anybody's for the taking.
However, he was quick to point out that Giteau was not an option at scrum-half.
"It has historically been an area that's an issue - hence the initiative to [move] Matt to nine - and the solution is yet to present itself.
"I'm expecting someone will put his hand up this year. We'll just have to wait and see who it is," Deans said.
It could be a tight race indeed, with Brett Sheehan (Waratahs), Josh Holmes (Brumbies), Matt Henjak (Force) and Sam Cordingley (Reds) all very competitive candidates for the position.
While Deans has Giteau in his plans, he has made it very clear that he will not select an Australian team purely on reputation.
"There are no Wallabies currently. There will be 15 names in June," Deans said.
"There won't be any guarantees. There will only be a guaranteed opportunity. We will select a mixture that function well as a team.
"What you have got available is your various talents. I guess the art of coaching is bringing them together."
Deans also said that he would not necessarily select the most talented players either, but rather he was looking at players that could function best together as a unit.
"Some may have an opinion that one talent is better than another, but whether that talent fits a need or not, who knows? We'll know only at the time."
