Staniforth has one spot, Giteau three

Staniforth has one spot, Giteau three

Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent
Thursday, October 19, 2006 Print this article
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Scott Staniforth's four-year wait for another Test starting spot will end early next month, while Matt Giteau is priming himself to play in three different positions in almost as many matches during the Wallabies' tour of Europe.

Giteau's versatility will be tested, as he will appear at halfback during next month's tour in possibly two of the four internationals as well as playing in his customary position of inside-centre. He will also spend time at five-eighth.

The Wallabies selectors are uncertain where Giteau will play in the opening Test against Wales in Cardiff on November 4, with debate over whether he should start at halfback or inside-centre.

Further confusing the issue is that had Queensland halfback Sam Cordingley been fit for the tour, Giteau would have probably played most of the tour at five-eighth as playmaker for a Stirling Mortlock-Lote Tuqiri centre combination.

However, Cordingley's withdrawal from the touring squad, on top of George Gregan's unavailability, puts enormous pressure on the selectors to experiment with Giteau as scrumhalf.

The selectors have several options for the Welsh Test. If Giteau is picked at halfback, they are expected to go with Stephen Larkham, Mat Rogers and Tuqiri as their Nos. 10, 12 and 13.

However, if they opt for Brett Sheehan or Josh Valentine at halfback, Larkham, Giteau and Tuqiri will become the five-eighth and centre combination.

That will change the following week against Italy in Rome, as tour skipper Mortlock is expected to have recovered from his leg injury and is set to play in the centres alongside Tuqiri. Giteau then will find himself in contention for halfback or five-eighth.

The selectors - coach John Connolly, Scott Johnson and Michael O'Connor - are eager to try Giteau at No.10, realising they need a viable alternative to Larkham in a World Cup year.

This might mean Larkham will play at No.12 in some tour matches, enabling Giteau to play inside him.

The back line experiments will also help Staniforth, who is strongly favoured to appear on one of the wings against Wales.

While Clyde Rathbone will retain his position, the other winger will be decided from Staniforth, Drew Mitchell, Cameron Shepherd and Mark Gerrard.

Staniforth, who was on the bench for the final Tri Nations match against South Africa in Johannesburg, is expected to win this battle and start a Test for the first time since 2002, when he appeared against Ireland and Italy on the end-of-season European tour.

Since that tour, Staniforth has been here, there, everywhere. After being discarded by the Waratahs in 2004, he played with London Irish, before enjoying a successful Super 14 with the Western Force this year, especially when he was used in the centres.

The NSW Rugby Union board, meanwhile, will shortly decide whether Parramatta Stadium or the Sydney Showground will be the home base for the Western Sydney team during next year's national competition.

The Central Coast team will be based at Gosford, and North Sydney Oval will be the home ground for the Sydney Central team, but NSW are undecided what venue the Western side will have as its home base.

Adding to the uncertainty is that the Showground and Parramatta Stadium have provided NSW with "compelling bids". NSWRU chief executive Fraser Neill said yesterday both had lodged "really good bids".

"It is line-ball between the two venues. But this is a good problem to have," he said.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive Gary Flowers yesterday met the Queensland Rugby Union board in Brisbane following reports the QRU had concerns with his leadership.

Queensland officials have recently been upset with Flowers and other ARU officials.

"We had a frank exchange of views," Flowers said last night. "We've taken back their views and will be reporting on it at our ARU board meeting on Friday."