BPC
Phil Hardcastle (33)
Just like John Smit.
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Just like John Smit.
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
Yep sounds like it... Thanks for all the great rugby Matt Giteau and enjoy France... and come back a do a season at the Brumbies before you retire… cheers m
Athilnaur
Arch Winning (36)
Not a big fan of Gits play, but surely no person is suggesting we lost v Samoa because of Gits. It might not have been his finest hour, but that loss was a collective one, if anything the forwards were responsible - and Samoa, who played at a whole new level IMO.
Re Barnes head injuries, it's not clear that his condition occurs from collisions at all is it? Setting that aside I think Barnes would already have been our inside centre, and is a proven option to Cooper at 10. As it stands I think he will be used sparingly.
J
JohnD
Guest
Best of luck to the Wobblies in the shakey Isles - would have preferred to see "Gits" in the RWC but the die has been cast for a 30 man squad without his presence!
R
RuckinGoodStats
Guest
Matt Giteau just tweeted
"Thank u ballboys, thank u linesman! That's it..."
"Thank u ballboys, thank u linesman! That's it..."
blindsider
Billy Sheehan (19)
i wonder if he'll finish the season with the 'wicks????
he looked great in the myrtle green
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
It is always unfortunate when a career comes to an end, but we should not forget the excitement that the new beginning of a younger player's career will bring to the game.
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
Nick Phipps must also be doing a dance
matty_k
Peter Johnson (47)
Bruwheresmycar
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
+1
Sad to think Giteau wont wear the Green and Gold again. He was a great player in the last decade. I suppose it's his own fault for moving to France, he could easily stay here and play himself back into the side next year.
Anyway, this means Beale and probably Barnes are backup options at fly half. We should cope fine if Cooper gets injured.
Rebel rouser
Ted Fahey (11)
I think it's important that we all step back for a moment and recognise Giteau has in years past been the Wallabies best. When he was good, he was amazing, and as others have mentioned he was one of few shining lights through many dark years. He must be thanked as a great servant to the Gold jumper.
It is possible that this longterm responsibility is partly responsible for his wane. Beale, Cooper and O'connor, Genia, Horwill etc can all have a bad game and have some of the slack picked up by those around them. Giteau never had this luxury. Given the circumstances, his individualistic streak is not surprising but is probably a key part of his downbringing now that a real team is coming up. His 'I'm the captain' remark was hugely telling earlier this year, and even his tweeting today pangs a bit of the showman, not waiting for the formal team announcement tomorrow to do things on his terms.
But all in all, I hope he's remembered fondly rather than poorly. He's done a lot for aus rugby and if I saw him walking down the street there's no doubt I would want to shake his hand.
It is possible that this longterm responsibility is partly responsible for his wane. Beale, Cooper and O'connor, Genia, Horwill etc can all have a bad game and have some of the slack picked up by those around them. Giteau never had this luxury. Given the circumstances, his individualistic streak is not surprising but is probably a key part of his downbringing now that a real team is coming up. His 'I'm the captain' remark was hugely telling earlier this year, and even his tweeting today pangs a bit of the showman, not waiting for the formal team announcement tomorrow to do things on his terms.
But all in all, I hope he's remembered fondly rather than poorly. He's done a lot for aus rugby and if I saw him walking down the street there's no doubt I would want to shake his hand.
Cutter
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Spot on. This is the sole reason he won't be in the squad and suggests Robbie is right to leave him out.
It's not always about you Gits.
Really? The sole reason? Drew's been tweeting too, reckon Robbie will leave him out just for that?
Cutter
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
The attitude rather than the tweets. But then I think you probably knew I meant that (or would if you re-read what I'd bolded).
As almost everyone on these boards has said, based on versatility, experience, ability and even form, he's in our top 30 players. As such, there must be another reason why he's not in the squad. I think it is the perception held by the coaches that he has a bad attitude and might bring that to the squad.
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
Anyway, Gits should not be treated disrespectfully.
Deans has to choose the squad he feels will bring back Bill. If Gits doesn't figure in that, well fair enough.
Many other people in the know think he should be there. The changing of the guard must come at some point for him, and all long time test players. The timing is a little unfortunate as I am sure he wanted to go out with a bang and on a high.
Gits has been a fantastic servant to Australian rugby, plucked from nowhere during our last golden era and then putting himself front and centre through a leaner period.
At his best he was regarded as the best.
Good luck to him in France and beyond.
Deans has to choose the squad he feels will bring back Bill. If Gits doesn't figure in that, well fair enough.
Many other people in the know think he should be there. The changing of the guard must come at some point for him, and all long time test players. The timing is a little unfortunate as I am sure he wanted to go out with a bang and on a high.
Gits has been a fantastic servant to Australian rugby, plucked from nowhere during our last golden era and then putting himself front and centre through a leaner period.
At his best he was regarded as the best.
Good luck to him in France and beyond.
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