Spotlight on Giteau

[Burgs]

Spotlight on Giteau

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Mat Rogers's exit has shone the spotlight on the worrying lack of depth in the Wallabies midfield heading towards next year's World Cup.

Australia's selectors yesterday named a 47-man training squad for the World Cup in France that includes at least three players per position, save for the centres.

With Rogers now preparing to play for Gold Coast in the NRL, Matt Giteau may be forced to remain at inside-centre even if he's considered a better halfback or five-eighth.

Test coach John Connolly admitted as much due to the dearth of alternatives. Connolly also lamented the back-up stocks at outside-centre, where an injury to Stirling Mortlock would be a huge blow to Australia's hopes.

"Some of those back-line positions are the most open of them all," Connolly said. "We're definitely concerned about some areas there."

Hardened duo Scott Staniforth and Morgan Turinui were the only other two centres selected in the extended squad, which will attend a three-day camp in Canberra from January 3.

Test prop Al Baxter is the biggest surprise among the four omissions from the European tour squad. Tai McIsaac, Gene Fairbanks and Scott Fava also miss out.

Connolly said Baxter's hopes for the World Cup were not dead but Canberra-bred Queensland signing Ben Coutts has taken his place to challenge Greg Holmes and Benn Robinson at loose-head. Coutts, five-eighth Berrick Barnes and Brumbies flanker Julian Salvi all gained their maiden selections in a Wallabies squad.

NSW hooker Adam Freier, Reds flanker David Croft and Western Force winger Digby Ioane were called up after missing the tour of Europe. The fact four halfbacks were chosen - including George Gregan - and three five-eighths suggests early contingency planning is underway for Giteau to remain at No.12.

AAP

[Rodent]

How Fairbanks ever got the nod for a tour spot is beyond me... Never rated him. Made way too many mistakes at crucial times for the Brumbies.

The whold "Lack of depth" thing is blown all out of proportion. We are a little thin at Outside Centre, but thats about it. We have Gits and Stanners to cover inside centre. Fly half we have Bernie, Berrick and Beale. Half back we have George and Sam. More wings and fullbacks than you can poke a stick at... So I'm really not sure what all the fuss is about...

And as far as Rogers leaving causing concern, I think it does just the opposite. It removes someone who the selectors where constanly trying to find a place for and someone that was a bit of a jack of all trades master of none. I'm still a believer that specialists are the way to go.

[shasta]

Gits is best at 12 both for The Forceand Australia, I feel. I'm hoping for a big improvement in Henjak this season and also a continuation of Jimmy Hilgendorfs good form. I think he can put real pressure on Berrick Barnes for the 10 spot, post Larkham.

[Shaun]

Giteau is a number 12 for me. His speed, agility, ability to pick a gap and twist a turn his way through things are best put to use at #12. C' arn Gits! Show us the money!!!

[Burgs]

Purely as Devils Advocate Shaun, these are all attacking facets of play that you list as his features, how about in defence or taking it to the line to set up a ruck?

[Shaun]

Yeah well a good defence is a good offence? Haha yeah but what can I say attacking rugby is better than defensive rugby, just don't ask England that...

[Burgs]

That is a (it's nearly Christmas...) answer, you still have to be able to lay a tackle on the oposition back row steaming down the corridor.
Try again to convince me Shaun.

[Burgs]

The silence is deafening......