O'Connor kicks on: Giteau hands over shots at goal to young talent

[MI5_Dog]

CARDIFF: James O’Connor is the new Wallabies goalkicker after Matt Giteau late last night decided to relinquish the duties, following his difficulties with numerous pressure shots over the past year.

Giteau approached Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, and it was agreed that O’Connor would take over in Saturday night’s Test against Wales at Millennium Stadium.

‘‘It was 100 per cent my decision,’’ Giteau said. ‘‘I just thought that while I was trialling a new goal-kicking technique, it wasn’t best to trial it in Test matches. I didn’t want to jeopardise the team.’’
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Giteau said he would keep working on his goalkicking and when he thought he was on top of it he would approach Deans to see whether he could again take over the duties.

Giteau struggled with his kicks in several Tests, including Scotland at Murrayfield during last year’s end-of-season tour, and against England and New Zealand in Sydney. After kicking just one from four in Hong Kong last Saturday night, Giteau knew it was time to hand the goalkicking reins over.

O’Connor was the obvious choice, after he kicked two enormous pressure shots from the sideline against the All Blacks in Hong Kong, the final one after the bell having the desired effect of sealing a memorable 26-24 victory – the first triumph over the Kiwis in 11 internationals.

Apart from killing off the All Blacks bogyman and reviving hopes of a fruitful World Cup campaign, the Wallabies coach now has the chance to name an unchanged Test team for the first time this year.

Due to injuries, form and suspensions during the past three seasons, Deans has constantly been forced to alter his starting XV. The situation presents a stark contrast to his time with the Crusaders, where momentum was achieved through minimal personnel changes.

Deans arrived in Cardiff on Monday relieved that, for once, he did not have to field questions as to why his team was still stuck in the All Blacks’ shadow – and also knowing that, with no injury concerns, he can attempt to generate momentum by rewarding his victorious players with starting roles against Wales.

If he sticks with the same XV, it will be for only the third time in 40 Tests in charge of the Wallabies. So far this year, Deans has picked 27 players to start matches.

Still, those seeking perfection could argue that more tinkering is required. Second-rower Mark Chisholm endured a couple of lapses in Hong Kong, including falling off a tackle on All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu, and more impact could be made off the bench if back-rower Scott Higginbotham was involved.

But Deans gave away enough hints before the Wallabies’ first training session here to indicate he wants a steady ship. Queried as to whether this was a rare moment to show continuity in selection, Deans said: ‘‘It appears as if we may have come through the Test unscathed, so we’ve got that potential, which is great.

‘‘And it is something we haven’t had a lot of. It was evident in our attack on the weekend that the continuity is starting to surface. Obviously we’re pretty happy with the outcome [in Hong Kong]. So those involved have done all that they can to maximise their chance to be selected.’’

Deans’s approach represents a marked change to the situation a few months ago when as a way to overcome form slumps and players becoming unavailable through injuries, or in the case of five-eighth Quade Cooper, on-field indiscretions, Test selections almost turned into an exercise of putting names in a hat and seeing what came out.

It is also a mark of respect towards Wales, who the Wallabies believe will be one of their toughest opponents on their month-long European leg.

Captain Rocky Elsom, who has a lot of knowledge of European football through his time with Leinster, said that the jet-lag which will hit the team this week after their trip from Hong Kong would not be a serious obstacle, but the Welsh team would be.

‘‘The Welsh can play extremely quick football,’’ he said.

[brokendown gunfighter]

how come he presumes that he is going to be in the team in the first place?

[GIGS20]

I'm disappointed that it's HIS decision, he should have been hooked after missing that sitter in the first half. Who has this guy got dirt on, that he can seemingly run the team whilst performing so badly?
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[blueandblack]

Maybe theres another committee going and he is the chairman

[Burgs]

In other words, he saw the train coming and got off the tracks and onto the platform.
Schmarmy prick hasn't won any friends around here with that cock and bull story, after this long why is he "trialling a new goal-kicking technique".
Get your hand off it Gits and man up, you've been shite.

[pieter blackie]

‘‘It was 100 per cent my decision,’’ Giteau said. ‘‘I just thought that while I was trialling a new goal-kicking technique, it wasn’t best to trial it in Test matches. I didn’t want to jeopardise the team.’’.

Yea right.

[Thequeerone]

poor Gits he really has been sucked in by all the hype, he was never any good at kicking long or wide which is why Sheps was so important to us - good luck Gits your're going need it.

[Boomer]

Gits himself hits the nail on the head when he says he thought his form was being judged on his kicking.

He's right of course.

It's delicious that he points out to whoever is reading this tripe that he intends to keep going with his kicking... because it's important to his value as a No 10 in France in 18 months' time.

He'll spend time finding his rhythm and still be worth seven figures a year