MATT GITEAU REJECTS $1.6M FORCE OFFER

[lara93]

Wallabies superstar Matt Giteau has stunned the Western Force by turning down a long-term offer to stay with the Super 14 club.

After Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash, Giteau confirmed he had knocked back the offer.

"Yes I've declined the offer. It's not what everyone seems to think it is though. That's all I can say about it," he said.

And the indications were strong that he will not be with the Force in 2009.

When asked about about next season he said simply: "Dunno. I've got a Wallaby tour to think about."

Club officials are now waiting to hear whether he asks for an early release from the final year of his contract...

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[force addict]

a real shame. i really hope he does atleast fulfill his contract with the Force

[lara93]

i hope so to...he was my idol when he came here, i hope he just stays for nxt year atleast

[BaldCunus]

Bugger...

[OzFUB]

It aint over till the fat lady sings

[pieter blackie]

I have said it before and I will say it again :

If he is only in it for the money and doesn't have loyalty to the Force then he must go.

Mercenaries doesn't make good soldiers they normally run when the heat is on

just my 2 sents worth
Pieter

[Burgs]

I have said it before and I will say it again :

If he is only in it for the money and doesn't have loyalty to the Force then he must go.

Mercenaries doesn't make good soldiers they normally run when the heat is on

just my 2 sents worth
Pieter

Make it 4 cents Pieter, I'll cover you for 2 on that sentiment.

[bunter]

Totally agree Pieter. A shame but there you go. These days of professional rugby don't encourage loyalty.
Maybe some of the local clubs can learn from that.
Players who have been bought in are happy to go where the best buck is.
Sad that Gits will go, but hey thats business. Why should he be the only creditor from the Firepower debarcle, many others will get nothing.
I believe rugbywa have done all they can.
Lets move on.

[Thequeerone]

It will be interesting to see what the Brumbies can offer - 1.4 million is a bit of a marker to live up to

[Darren]

"Yes I've declined the offer. It's not what everyone seems to think it is though. That's all I can say about it,"

I wonder what this is a reference to? I would imagine it relates to seeking an ealy release (ie. he intends playing 2009 at the Force) but it could be there is another sponsorship deal in teh wind and he didn;t want to commit with this mob?

[Thequeerone]

What really happens now - isn't his third party stuff for 2009 gone - it was dependent on his signing to 2011 ?

[Darren]

Yeah - he's got nothing (that I know of) for 2009. That $1.6M was ultimately for 2010 & 2011 - $800K / year sponsorship is a pretty good deal to be knocked back

[OzFUB]

The way things are in the financail markets he may have made a mistake knocking this back. Money is going to be tight for a while and he may not get a better offer from anybody.

If Git's wasn't in it for the money he would still be in Canbera and would never have come to the force. It's a fact of life. he has to make a living now to cover him for his future.

[James]

Yeah - he's got nothing (that I know of) for 2009. That $1.6M was ultimately for 2010 & 2011 - $800K / year sponsorship is a pretty good deal to be knocked back

Are you sure Coach? I thought the idea was that $800k a year would have been backdated for 2008 and available for 2009 if he signed on for 2010 and 2011 (and would have presumably got the same deal of 800k a year) making a total of 3.2 million.

[Darren]

I thought the cash was $400K / year backdated to 2008 making $1.6M total for 08,09,10 & 11. This firgure of 400K was apparently the same as the Firepower cash component...

My 800K / year comment was based on him having nothing for 08,09 as it stands now.