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July 22, 2009 Star playmaker Matt Giteau leapt to the defence of besieged halfback Luke Burgess as emotions boiled over during a punishing Wallabies training session in Sydney.
The Wallabies assembled for the first time since their bitterly disappointing 22-16 Tri Nations loss to the All Blacks in Auckland last Saturday and the tension was there for all to see as prop Ben Alexander and hooker Stephen Moore squared off during the two-and-a-half-hour hit-out at Brookvale Oval.
Senior Wallabies, including Giteau, played down the scuffle, saying it was merely healthy rivalry.
"It shows the fire's still there and training intensity is right up. So I think it's a good thing," Giteau said.
There is little doubt, though, the entire squad is feeling the heat as they bid to keep their Tri Nations hopes alive after a painful defeat which Giteau conceded hit harder than most.
"That one was certainly one we felt got away. And we were our own worst enemies so when that happens, it certainly hurts," he said.
"Every Test match you lose is devastating. But that one in particular, because of the history, it would have been nice to get it."
No player is hurting more than Burgess, who copped flak from both sides of the Tasman for his scratchy performance at Eden Park.
After 15 Tests, Burgess is now under growing pressure to retain his place ahead of Reds halfback Will Genia for the Wallabies' showdown with the world champion Springboks in Cape Town on August 8.
Giteau, though, believes Burgess should be given another chance.
"Burgo's going great. Obviously it's his second full year of international rugby and he's certainly showing composure," Giteau said.
"If you look at (our) first three games (this year), he was one of our best players every week. I think he's improving and going well.
"The biggest thing at this level of football is getting that confidence and instilling that in him and I think he's just got to look at his previous games where he was playing well. That's all he needs.
"Everyone has an off game. If you look at my performance, or anyone's performance, we weren't perfect.
"No-one played well, I don't think, consistently for that full 80 minutes. So it's unfair just to blame one player."
Giteau agreed Genia delivered him crisp service from the scrum and ruck base in the eight minutes after being handed his Test debut against the All Blacks.
"He was good, Will," Giteau said.
"He's obviously a very skilful player. He's shown that he's adapted to the way we like to play very quickly and he gets along with the boys well.
"But, having said that, Luke's training and playing just as well.
"So it's good we've got that depth in the halfback position."
While the Wallabies resembled the walking wounded with several players sitting out training and others finishing early or requiring ice packs, the squad did receive some good injury news.
Scans revealed back-rower Richard Brown's foot injury was not as serious as first thought and he is only likely to miss one Test.
Those able to take part were certainly put through a torturous session by coach Robbie Deans, no doubt still smarting over his side's capitulation from 10-0 up against the All Blacks.
"It was a big session, quite a bit fitness-based as well," said backline rookie James O'Connor.
"Pretty tough but the boys rose to the occasion.
"We're in good nick, so lots of the boys are looking forward to club footy (this weekend) and getting our heads right for the next game."
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-32464,00.html
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