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Deans ends goalkicking experiment
By Jim Morton, AAP July 20, 2010, 4:30 pm
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has shelved his controversial two-prong goalkicking experiment by handing sole duties back to Matt Giteau.
Deans' "left-field" solution to Giteau's uncharacteristic kicking yips was far from successful in Australia's last Test against Ireland when neither the incumbent nor Quade Cooper kicked well.
Giteau missed an early 32m attempt from in front before slotting two easy second half shots in the scrappy 22-15 win while Cooper, kicking predominantly from the left side, ended with two from five.
The experiment stemmed from left-footer Giteau's late miss from in front in the upset 21-20 loss to England in Sydney, three Tests after he also failed with what would have been match-winning conversion against Scotland at Murrayfield in November.
But Deans had no hesitation giving the 80-Test inside centre full responsibility against South Africa after he regained confidence and rhythm in training after working with his personal kicking coach Ben Perkins.
"Practice counts for a lot and he's kicking well," Deans said on Tuesday.
"He's the incumbent kicker and has been that for a long time. He obviously missed a couple he'd rather have got but he's not alone in that."
Giteau, who also retained his No.12 jersey for Saturday night's Tri-Nations clash following speculation his position was at risk, was happy to have sole rights to the key role.
"I love goalkicking so yes," he said.
"It's been good. I feel like I've been hitting the ball quite cleanly at training so far but training counts for nothing so this weekend hopefully I'll be kicking well."
For once Giteau will not be the smallest man on the field for a Mandela Trophy match with the highly-physical Springboks calling up 70kg winger Gio Aplon to replace the suspended Jean de Villiers.
Aplon, who will mark the 95kg Drew Mitchell, is 30kg lighter than de Villiers but Giteau doesn't see the change as an advantage to the Wallabies.
"I'd love to say yes but no he's got great feet and is deceptively strong," he said.
"You only have to look at the Super 14 for the form he had there (with the Stormers) so I don't think size counts for too much."
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