he betta not leave us!
BOKKE“Let me put it this way, A Springbok team contains Afrikaners, Englishmen, coloureds and blacks. It has parochial foes in Bulls, Sharks, Stormers, Cheetahs and Lions. It is a recipe for war! Yet in all the years of John Smit’s captaincy, there has never been one unhappy customer, not one voice of rebellion against his leadership. He is the glue that holds the Springboks together. The man is a legend!”- Jake White
French club offers Wallabies star Matt Giteau four-year
Andrew Webster
November 29, 2008 12:00am
WALLABIES five-eighth Matt Giteau has received an offer worth $10 million to play club rugby in France, a deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the world in either rugby code.
Bayonne, the club that snatched rugby league halfback Craig Gower from Penrith last season, has made the approach.
Giteau met billionaire club powerbroker Alain Afflelou before Australia's victory against France in Paris last weekend.
Sources in France report a four-year deal worth almost $10 million is on the table.
It is understood Giteau has discussed the move with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
Giteau will be a key figure as Australia tries to defeat Wales in Cardiff tonight (kick-off 1.30am).
While the deal would edge Giteau ahead of All Blacks playmaker Daniel Carter as the highest-paid rugby player, it is understood he is reluctant to walk away from the Wallabies before the 2011 World Cup -- unless officials relax rules that prohibit players representing their country if they are with overseas clubs.
His deal with the Australian Rugby Union expires at the end of 2011.
Giteau is desperate to avoid putting money ahead of a Wallabies jersey but needs to offset a reported $1.6 million shortfall in earnings after third-party deals brokered between failed petrol pill company Firepower and his former manager, Greg Keenan, fell through this year.
The ARU has refused to cover the shortfall and will not allow Giteau to walk out of his Western Force contract so he can return to the ACT Brumbies.
If Giteau rejects the $10 million offer, he will consider asking the Force for a release so he can play for Bayonne on a short-term deal similar to the one Carter has struck with French club Perpignan.
Carter's deal is reportedly worth $1.5 million and Giteau could expect to attract a similar amount.
Giteau told French newspaper Midi Olympique this week: "After the tour, I am going to discuss with the federation to see if it will authorise me to get some experience in France like what the NZRU did with Carter.
"It would be fantastic. I adore your country, your way of life, your food, the croissants at breakfast."
French agent Pierre Vandome, who was crucial to Gower's move to Bayonne last year, is brokering the attempt to lure Giteau.
He also played a role in the move of former New South Wales Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie to Stade Francais.
If Giteau wants to sign with French rugby, he has a staunch opponent in ARU boss John O'Neill.
Giteau raised the notion of playing rugby in France when the pair met in London a fortnight ago, but was rebuffed.
"As far as we're concerned, he is contracted with the ARU until the World Cup and the Force until the end of next season," O'Neill said. "He is not going anywhere. Any approach for a release from his Force contract would not be favourably looked upon."
The Giteau offer looms as a challenge to O'Neill's stance that prevents players based overseas from playing for the Wallabies. with AAP
http://www.news.com.au:80/heraldsun/...-11809,00.html
the above story was also reported on skysports news UK this morning...
Last edited by slomo; 29-11-08 at 07:05.
Wondering if Gitts is a normal person - figured he was going to get the money and has already sort of spent it.
4 years in France - jeez 4 weeks was long enough for us
61 years between Grand SlamsWas the wait worth it - Ya betta baby
last night sky news said that the ARU has heard nothing from Gits about it.
so confusing
Be There. Be Heard. Be The Force Behind The Force
yeah i heard that to
and gits hasnt made a statement saying that they confronted him or if he is staying in australia..
BOKKE“Let me put it this way, A Springbok team contains Afrikaners, Englishmen, coloureds and blacks. It has parochial foes in Bulls, Sharks, Stormers, Cheetahs and Lions. It is a recipe for war! Yet in all the years of John Smit’s captaincy, there has never been one unhappy customer, not one voice of rebellion against his leadership. He is the glue that holds the Springboks together. The man is a legend!”- Jake White
or this is just speculation
BOKKE“Let me put it this way, A Springbok team contains Afrikaners, Englishmen, coloureds and blacks. It has parochial foes in Bulls, Sharks, Stormers, Cheetahs and Lions. It is a recipe for war! Yet in all the years of John Smit’s captaincy, there has never been one unhappy customer, not one voice of rebellion against his leadership. He is the glue that holds the Springboks together. The man is a legend!”- Jake White
Don't worry. One more game then he can reveal his thoughts.
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
Ok by me.Originally Posted by mudskipper
Perhaps we could do a straight swap for Holdsworth. The Force would have a home grown 5/8 then. Our Mungo converts have been Ok so far.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Brett Harris knows jackshit and is just speculating.
And I doubt we will know until sometime during the 2009 season what Gits will be doing in 2010.
He just hasn't formally announced any intentions at this time...When he returns he wants to sort out his contract and playing arrangements for the next 3 years with his agent and other parties...Then he may ask to have a European sabbatical built in to the new contract... Either way Giteau will play in France one day…
Looks like he wants a change Force fans... Petite french pastries perhaps…or Brumbies heartland? Perhaps both…mmmmmmmmm
Is there a little Homer in Gits?
Do you actually believe everything you read Mud???
Perhaps he doesn't want to say anything yet because he doesn't have to.
He has a year left on his contract with the Force and other players with a year left aren't being harassed or pressured to make a decision now, so shy should he?!
He has plenty of time to make the right decision....(to stay with the Force)
no-p... but I get a giggle about how much it freaks for guys out....
Force fans you have lots of very talented young players if Giteau goes you will be OK....
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