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Spotlight on Giteau
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Mat Rogers's exit has shone the spotlight on the worrying lack of depth in the Wallabies midfield heading towards next year's World Cup.
Australia's selectors yesterday named a 47-man training squad for the World Cup in France that includes at least three players per position, save for the centres.
With Rogers now preparing to play for Gold Coast in the NRL, Matt Giteau may be forced to remain at inside-centre even if he's considered a better halfback or five-eighth.
Test coach John Connolly admitted as much due to the dearth of alternatives. Connolly also lamented the back-up stocks at outside-centre, where an injury to Stirling Mortlock would be a huge blow to Australia's hopes.
"Some of those back-line positions are the most open of them all," Connolly said. "We're definitely concerned about some areas there."
Hardened duo Scott Staniforth and Morgan Turinui were the only other two centres selected in the extended squad, which will attend a three-day camp in Canberra from January 3.
Test prop Al Baxter is the biggest surprise among the four omissions from the European tour squad. Tai McIsaac, Gene Fairbanks and Scott Fava also miss out.
Connolly said Baxter's hopes for the World Cup were not dead but Canberra-bred Queensland signing Ben Coutts has taken his place to challenge Greg Holmes and Benn Robinson at loose-head. Coutts, five-eighth Berrick Barnes and Brumbies flanker Julian Salvi all gained their maiden selections in a Wallabies squad.
NSW hooker Adam Freier, Reds flanker David Croft and Western Force winger Digby Ioane were called up after missing the tour of Europe. The fact four halfbacks were chosen - including George Gregan - and three five-eighths suggests early contingency planning is underway for Giteau to remain at No.12.
AAP