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Robbie: No feud with axed Giteau
ROBBIE Deans dismissed talk of a personal feud with Matt Giteau as "nonsense" yesterday as the outcast five-eighth said he'll continue to be ready to help the Wallabies' World Cup campaign if needed.
Giteau released a statement late yesterday reiterating his thanks to teammates, coaches and family for their support over his 92-Test career.
"It has been the greatest privilege of my life to play for my country, a childhood dream and I hope I have given much enjoyment to many," Giteau said.
"Obviously I am very disappointed not to be in the Australian Rugby World Cup squad, it is the pinnacle of world rugby and I will miss it greatly. Having said that, I wish our team the very best of luck and if there is anything I can do to help their cause in any way whatsoever, I am ready, willing and able."
Deans confirmed Giteau would remain on standby for the World Cup, and would train with the Brumbies to stay fit.
The Wallabies coach rubbished suggestions Giteau's omission was due to attitude problems.
"(His attitude is) exceptional. You don't get to play 92 Tests and have that sort of longevity in the game without a good attitude," Deans said.
Deans was nonplussed about Giteau tweeting his omission from the World Cup squad and also refused to detail exactly why the Brumbies playmaker was left out.
"I don't want to go into specific details. It's tough enough for him to swallow without picking over that as well," he said.
Wallabies squad members said Giteau was unlucky to miss out but could still be involved if there was an injury and Deans appeared to suggest he'd be next in line if there was an injury to an inside back.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226117823924
Headlines of the near future?.... Wallabies squad members said Giteau was unlucky to miss out but could still be involved if there was an injury and Deans appeared to suggest he'd be next in line if there was an injury to an inside back.
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Go The Force!
You on the sauce again Muddy?
ADAM Ashley-Cooper says he is ''shattered'' his long-time friend Matt Giteau won't be involved in the World Cup campaign.
Giteau's omission continues to be a big talking point three weeks out from the tournament, with former Wallabies forward Owen Finegan writing in yesterday's Canberra Times that Giteau had been the victim of an ''inconsistent selection policy'' which was ''definitely not fair on a player of Giteau's calibre''.
While coach Robbie Deans has insisted the decision to leave Giteau out is not personal, there has been long-term speculation that the two have a personality clash. Former Test coach Eddie Jones also suggested in a Brisbane newspaper yesterday that Deans' assistant David Nucifora ''may not have forgotten Giteau's part in his demise at the Brumbies''.
While not criticising the coaches' decision, Ashley-Cooper said the Wallabies would miss having Giteau for the tournament.
''I'm certainly shattered for Gits, being very close mates with him. There's nothing he wanted more than to be a part of the squad and the campaign to New Zealand,'' Ashley-Cooper said.
''To have that experience and talent left out of the squad is tough to handle, not only for me, but it must be very tough for him.''
Ashley-Cooper had a poor final season in Canberra as the ACT Brumbies experienced their worst Super Rugby campaign, struggling to make an impact in the centres and then on the wing. However, Ashley-Cooper said Giteau's efforts had been exceptional.
''It was one of the toughest campaigns we've had, but he was a star performer week in week out and led from the front. It's so disappointing for him.
''It's out of his hands, to his credit he's remained upbeat and positive the last few weeks.
''Given the way the game is there's a lot of injuries and I'm hoping he gets to represent his country one more time.''
Ashley-Cooper has shown some signs that a return to his best is not far off, however, Finegan and others have said that he is one of a handful of players picked on reputation rather than form.
Ashley-Cooper said he was gradually finding a better rhythm on the field, and he said the team's belief ahead of the tournament was strong. ''We certainly have the expectation of reaching the semi-final and the final and I think you have to have that confidence and that belief. It's everyone's goal to get there, but it's important to focus on each day once we're over there and each game,'' he said
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...d/2265132.aspx
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Hilgendorf got the try under the posts v highlanders. The game with the missed drop goal after the siren was against the lions.
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