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There are moves to recall dumped Wallaby Matt Giteau if Pat McCabe (dislocated shoulder), Rob Horne (fractured cheekbone), or Anthony Faingaa (severe concussion) are sent home from the Rugby World Cup. No, no, no, no, no.
The disruptive Giteau, involved in two player-power sackings of Brumby coaches David Nucifora and Andy Friend, would have a devastating effect on Wallaby morale, even after the runaway 67-5 win over the USA.
Flogging the Americans could never make up for losing to Ireland 15-6 the week before, leaving the Wallabies a minefield to negotiate with probably the Springboks, All Blacks and England to beat in the play-offs to win a record third RWC.
Had the Wallabies beaten Ireland it was probably Wales, England, and the All Blacks to hoist “Bill” – a very costly loss.
So the Wallabies don’t need a destabiliser as they try to pick up the pieces.
Nor a Giteau who has also lost his ability to run straight, make a break, time a pass, and be a team player as he was four years ago when he was rightfully rated one of the world’s best centres.
Besides, any replacement would be a support player with the starting backline settled now Berrick Barnes is back in business and in full flight.
It’s been a couple of years since Giteau’s been in full flight, the reason why he lost his Test berth in the first place, as well as having an attitude problem.
That makes Queenslander Ben Tapaui by far the better bet. At 22, and a specialist inside centre with a huge future, Tapaui would gain invaluable experience being in the Wallaby touring environment surrounded by the aura of a World Cup.
Tapaui would sit on the bench as part of the back-ups to Will Genia (9), Quade Cooper (10), Digby Ioane (11), Berrick Barnes (12), Adam Ashley-Cooper (13), James O’Connor (14), and Kurtley Beale (15).
If selectors reckon Tapaui’s too big a risk, and they’d be blinkered if they do, veteran Stirling Mortlock’s bullocky running and impregnable defence would be more beneficial than Giteau. More importantly, Mortlock is a revered team man, and former skipper.
The selectors – Robbie Deans, Jim Williams, and Nucifora – have been forced into lateral thinking with the injury toll mounting rapidly.
On top of McCabe, Horne, and Faingaa – Wycliff Palu, Beale, and O’Connor have hamstring problems; Ashley-Cooper, and Cooper ankle injuries; Mitchell and skipper James Horwill are suffering general soreness – while concerns remain over David Pocock’s lower back, a difficult injury to treat.
If all three are sent home to be replaced, selectors must cover Pocock with a specialist openside flanker they deemed unimportant in the original Cup squad of 30, leaving behind Matt Hodgson, and Beau Robinson.
Ben McCalman isn’t the answer, but Phil Waugh would be as I mentioned yesterday when the 31-year-old bowed out of all rugby with a grand final loss to Eastwood at Concord, ending Sydney University’s six successive premiership run 19-16 in extra time.
Waugh’s still got it, and with 79 caps to his credit has the experience to be the best alterative to Pocock who is, without doubt, the biggest loss to the Wallabies in the last two games.
It would also mean Deans will have to change from his now accepted 5-2 forwards-backs bench to 4-3 if Pocock remains unavailable to accommodate backs Mitchell, Tapaui, and Luke Burgess.
The next two days will be full of interest to see which path the selectors tread.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/25...s-injury-woes/
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
What a load of crap......Tapuai and Waugh? I'd actually take Giteau in preference!
C'mon the![]()
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I'll see you a phil waugh and raise you a matt hodgson
No, no, no, no, no Lord. Omg does someone need to pull their head out of their a*# ?
Well at least Pocock has now declared himself fit again. If need be bring Matt Hodgson in as an extra forward.
I must concede I would like to see Mortlock come in and kick butt again, it would be great to see, but I'm sure there are other backs available.![]()
Go The Force!
Been watching a bit of Setanta in various hotel rooms lately. Came across Toulon playing a few times but the princess doesn't seem to get a gig. Anyone know if he's injure? The Aussie who is going OK is Rooney.
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far too tight and physical for m'sieur Giteau
he'll be back playing for Blamain soon
He has played 6 games for Toulon 1 of which was of the bench. No trys and no kicking as Wilko is on the team aswell.
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
Ahh well. He better pick up his game if he wants to stay employed
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Depends on how you define it. He's done very well at causing dissent in the ranks.
Any work of a committee over in France yet?
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