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Bret Harris | June 06, 2009
AT some point in the career of a great five-eighth there is a crowning moment that marks his place forever in the annals of the game.
You think of "King" Barry John playing sublimely for the British and Irish Lions against the All Blacks in 1971. Mark Ella magically scoring a try in every Test on the Wallabies' 1984 Grand Slam tour of Britain. Dan Carter taming the Lions in 2005.
All indications are that Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau is poised to have his moment etched in gold some time between now and the 2011 World Cup.
Entering his second season as a regular Test five-eighth, Giteau is poised to join the pantheon of great No10s.
The 26-year-old has matured as a playmaker and has developed his skills under Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
It is hard to escape the feeling that something special is about to happen for Giteau and the Wallabies team he is directing.
"I thought 21 was my golden period," Giteau quipped. "There are younger guys coming through so it makes you feel a bit older. You feel you have to take a bit more leadership and a bit more seniority among the group.
"I'm feeling more comfortable in the role. I continue to develop. I'd like to think that each year ... surely once you get old you are going to start to go downhill, but I want to continue to develop and just continue to play the best football I can, week in week out.
"Consistency is the biggest thing. That's all I really seek is just that consistency of playing good football."
Giteau had played the majority of his Super and Test rugby as a twinkle-toed inside centre, but Deans identified him as the man to take over from Stephen Larkham as the Wallabies' chief playmaker.
While he continued to be a dangerous runner, Giteau developed his passing and kicking skills to a new level.
Under Deans's philosophy of playing what is in front of you, Giteau also learnt to trust his own tactical nous.
Along with halfback Luke Burgess and inside centre Berrick Barnes, Giteau is helping to develop an impressive tactical decision-making unit.
Giteau's leadership ability was tested at the Western Force in the Super 14 this year when dramas surrounding coach John Mitchell and his alleged troubled relationship with the players arose.
And he played some of the best rugby of his career after he made his announcement to return to the Brumbies next year.
"A weight was lifted off my shoulders," Giteau said. "I wanted to prove to the boys I was still committed to the Force while I was there."
Giteau's ability to direct the Wallabies' operations will also be enhanced by the fact that he is now more familiar with Deans, who arrived at camp in Sydney last year two days after guiding the Crusaders to victory over NSW Waratahs in the Super 14 final.
"I'm much more comfortable with Robbie now because when you first meet someone you've always got that little bit of awkwardness, but now we are a lot more comfortable.
"It's not just me, but the whole squad. Everyone is a lot more familiar with him.
"The more familiar you are with someone the more comfortable you are, the more you are willing to offer things up.
"Robbie is always listening. He will listen to anyone's opinion.
"When you first come into the team you just want to fit in and see exactly where Robbie is at.
"After having a whole year under him I kind of understand how he likes to play and where he wants to take the team.
"It certainly makes my job easier in directing."
The Wallabies face a testing schedule this year, but Giteau's ambitions are quite straight-forward.
"To make things pretty simple you want to win every game," Giteau said. "Win the Tri-Nations and things like that. The Bledisloe. They are obviously big goals.
"Our immediate goal needs to be to keep improving, developing as a side. There were times when we were playing good football, but it wasn't for that consistent 80 minutes.
"The biggest goal for us is to play that consistent, good 80 minutes of rugby. When we do that there is a lot of confidence among the squad that we can beat anyone on our day."
Giteau will have the opportunity to showcase his talents when the Wallabies play the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight in what should mark the beginning of a new, golden phase in his career.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html