rugbysmartarse
Alan Cameron (40)
Serious question (for once): was gits ever that good? Was it just larkham that made him look good? (apologies if you've discussed this before, I'm new here)
Giteau Spitting Dummy again???
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sevenpointdropgoal
Larry Dwyer (12)
Yes. No. Maybe. Probably. Possibly in comparison to others. It was the kicking, and... er... passing... they paid him $1.5million... hang on... what was the question?
rugbysmartarse
Alan Cameron (40)
The question again: could Bernie have made even Tom Carter look world class
No. Yes. Apology accepted. Welcome.
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
He was world class in his prime
If he threw those long cut-out passes past him...
Sorry, Bruce, couldn't resist the set-up slam dunk there!
sevenpointdropgoal
Larry Dwyer (12)
Point made; In my opinion it wasn't all Larkham. He certainly came up playing in one of the better Super teams, and had the benefit of playing outside Australia's best 10 in some time, but he did create some marvelous attacking play. He ran well (sideways yes, but usually before finding a space, rather than for the fun of it), passed acceptably, and kicked very well. His tactical kicking, particularly in a few games at 10 in 2008 and 2009, was very good, the best we've had in a while. I might be viewing history through rose colored lenses, but he also seemed to have the number on most of his contemporaries in defense too. He might have been a bit over-rated, but that is partly as a result of the weight of expectation on his shoulders. He was certainly our best 12, and possibly 10, option for quite a while... he just isn't now.
Brumby Jack
Steve Williams (59)
Yep, 1 more year.
MrMouse
Bob Loudon (25)
I do think that Bernie could have made Tommy look at least at home in test football, but Gits really was as good as that. He had the passing game, kicking game, solid defence, and as Groucho mentioned just take a look at his highlights reel to remember the way he could cut defences to ribbons.
Defences have improved internationally somewhat, but more at issue is that in search of gaps, Gits started running sideways. Perhaps it was the pressure of feeling he was the only one who could find a hole, but so it began. He's been crabbing ever since. Eventually the kicking, passing, instinct and will to try went out too. Then he started acting and thinking as though he was bigger than the game. Then we all started to REEEEALLY hate him, to the extent that we question whether it was ever real to begin with...
Or something like that.
Defences have improved internationally somewhat, but more at issue is that in search of gaps, Gits started running sideways. Perhaps it was the pressure of feeling he was the only one who could find a hole, but so it began. He's been crabbing ever since. Eventually the kicking, passing, instinct and will to try went out too. Then he started acting and thinking as though he was bigger than the game. Then we all started to REEEEALLY hate him, to the extent that we question whether it was ever real to begin with...
Or something like that.
MrMouse
Bob Loudon (25)
BJ do you feel upbeat and positive about that?
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
I think it was more of him setting such a high standard consistantly during his prime, that we all become so frustrated when he couldn't emulate it week in week out as the years went on, with the Wallabies not having a replacement to get out of the slump. I think this is still the case, Giteau is not playing that poorly, just poorly by the standards he made his name for and we expect. I honestly haven't seen much difference between him and Barnes lately.
JJJ
Vay Wilson (31)
I don't think anyone thought Gits was gonna stick around after the WC anyway. The question was if he'd return to form in time for us to get a bit more use out of him until then, and maybe even a world cup. Increasingly it's looking like the answer to that will be "no", so if he chooses to bugger off a bit earlier it's no skin off my nose. I suspect he felt the pinch of being benched before he could produce a standout performance in europe most keenly because he was hoping to make some headlines under the noses of prospective employers there. But maybe I'm just being cynical. Maybe if I knew what was leading off-field to his onfield performances I'd be more sympathetic towards him. Maybe.
O
OLDDOG
Guest
Interesting discussion this ......
I remember a time, not too long ago, when it appeared that the wobblies were basically run by gits, gregan, smith and mortlock. then deans came on the scene, and wanted the boys to have a trial game against each other, but it seems the lads wanted to be paid for the inconvenience. I think that was the turning point to a new renaissance. I feel that turning point was the start of a new lot of players being brought thru. Pocock, genia, quade, digby, simmo, slipper, kurtley, higgs et al.
u gotta give robbie credit, he has rebuilt the team, moved the cheese. the older boys have served their country well, but i feel may have been a bit resistant to change, to adapt to the deans way of playing the game. as I recall, there was a bit of a hoo haa, guys were told the way it was now gonna be done. gits hung on to his slot, and has had plenty of opportunity to deliver, but whilst undoubtedly talented, has lost a bit of spark and unpredictability, and has accordingly and rightly been dropped. you didnt see sook spitting the dummy. what did he do? he dug in deeper, and played his way into a starting 12 slot. well done to him. the onus is now on gits to get himself to a newer higher level. but, he is one of the last of the old guard, who resisted change, but the planet spins. I dont have the balls to be a kicker, but gits has cost us a few winnable games, with kickable kicks being missed. never an easy job, but based on form he HAD to be dropped. what remains to be seen now, is how he responds to the challenge. lift his game, or take the money way out to france........either way, I take my hat off to robbie, I for one think he has done much good, with limited stocks of players, considering our depth, he has performed brilliantly, and great lessons are being learnt along the way. I hope it all comes together for 2011, and I hope robbie stays on.......
I remember a time, not too long ago, when it appeared that the wobblies were basically run by gits, gregan, smith and mortlock. then deans came on the scene, and wanted the boys to have a trial game against each other, but it seems the lads wanted to be paid for the inconvenience. I think that was the turning point to a new renaissance. I feel that turning point was the start of a new lot of players being brought thru. Pocock, genia, quade, digby, simmo, slipper, kurtley, higgs et al.
u gotta give robbie credit, he has rebuilt the team, moved the cheese. the older boys have served their country well, but i feel may have been a bit resistant to change, to adapt to the deans way of playing the game. as I recall, there was a bit of a hoo haa, guys were told the way it was now gonna be done. gits hung on to his slot, and has had plenty of opportunity to deliver, but whilst undoubtedly talented, has lost a bit of spark and unpredictability, and has accordingly and rightly been dropped. you didnt see sook spitting the dummy. what did he do? he dug in deeper, and played his way into a starting 12 slot. well done to him. the onus is now on gits to get himself to a newer higher level. but, he is one of the last of the old guard, who resisted change, but the planet spins. I dont have the balls to be a kicker, but gits has cost us a few winnable games, with kickable kicks being missed. never an easy job, but based on form he HAD to be dropped. what remains to be seen now, is how he responds to the challenge. lift his game, or take the money way out to france........either way, I take my hat off to robbie, I for one think he has done much good, with limited stocks of players, considering our depth, he has performed brilliantly, and great lessons are being learnt along the way. I hope it all comes together for 2011, and I hope robbie stays on.......
dougdew99
Allen Oxlade (6)
I agree 100% with Groucho... there is nothing to say that Giteau will not have a fantastic Super 15 and be a match winner for the Wallabies... that is what any Wallaby supporter would want... we need as many quality players as we can get, competing for starting spots...
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
The best thing that could come out of this whole saga would be for Gits to light it up in the S15 next season and demand selection. Nothing would make me happier (other than an Aussie team winning the comp).
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
Yes he was world class in his prime and considered the worlds best 12 and 10 at times.
That article is speculative bullshit and almost as unpalatable as Gnostics rancid hatred of Matt Giteau.
He still has a big part to play in our RWC campaign next year.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
IF he can find form and return to something even remotely similar to the Giteau of old. But IF current form holds, he'll be lucky to be in the 22.
jay-c
Ron Walden (29)
it would be a sad, sad day for australian rugby if giteau did not put up a fight for his position in the team
maybe he's lost a bit of pace/acceleration and needs to develop other areas of his game to make up for it?
form is temporary- class is forever
im usually against players changin positions willy nilly but i believe he possesses the attributes for a quality 15- maybe a change in position could freshen him> its worked before for others>
maybe he's lost a bit of pace/acceleration and needs to develop other areas of his game to make up for it?
form is temporary- class is forever
im usually against players changin positions willy nilly but i believe he possesses the attributes for a quality 15- maybe a change in position could freshen him> its worked before for others>
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