0
Brumbies eyeing Giteau, Mitchell
By Bret Harris
September 05, 2008 AS speculation about Matt Giteau leaving the Western Force to rejoin the Brumbies gathers momentum, there is also talk of Drew Mitchell quitting the Perth-based Super 14 team.
Giteau has until the end of this year to decide which Australian province he will play for in 2010.
There are strong rumours Giteau will return to Canberra where he started his Super rugby career with the Brumbies in 2003. And the Brumbies have not hidden their ambition to bring Giteau home.
They had always planned to build their backline around Giteau following the departure of veteran halves George Gregan and Stephen Larkham and were devastated when he decided to move to Perth two years ago.
"That's nice to hear," Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said of the speculation that Giteau was planning to return to Canberra.
"I caught up with Matt in June. We had coffee and a chat when I visited the Wallabies' camp, but we've had no discussions since then. He's committed to Perth in 2009."
But the Force is hopeful of retaining both Giteau and Mitchell.
"Matt and Drew are very valuable players and naturally we are keen to keep them," Force CEO Greg Harris said.
"Matt is our marquee player, our highest-profile player. He is very important to the Force."
One of the keys to Giteau remaining in Perth could be his management negotiating a third-party sponsorship deal to replace the deal with fuel technology company Firepower, which fell through this year.
Giteau and Mitchell were inseparable on the Wallabies' recent tour of South Africa and it would not surprise if they moved to Canberra together.
Their presence in the Brumbies' backline would help to reignite the two-time champion's attacking brilliance.
Fagan said the Brumbies would be interested in talking to Mitchell when he is off contract at the end of next season.
"We've got a few outside backs off contract at the end of next year," Fagan said.
"We would be looking to talk to Drew just as we talked to Cameron Shepherd (Force full-back) this year.
"I'm sure Andy Friend (Brumbies coach) would be keen to talk to Matt and Drew in the near future."
Mitchell played for Queensland Reds before joining the Force and it would be safe to assume the Brisbane-based side would have an interest in him, particularly as they have lost two full-backs, Chris Latham and Clinton Schifcofske to overseas clubs.
Meanwhile, Giteau and Mitchell will team up for the Wallabies in the Tri-Nations decider against New Zealand in Brisbane on September 13.
The Wallabies are licking their wounds from the record 53-8 defeat to South Africa in Johannesburg last Saturday, while the All Blacks are coming off a 101-14 massacre of Samoa on Wednesday night.
But former Test great Tim Horan believes the Wallabies would lift significantly in front of a 52,500 capacity crowd at Suncorp Stadium, where Australia has lost just once in 12 years.
"They will be underdogs but I reckon they will bounce back and win it," Horan said.
"I think they will, as long as they believe in themselves. They have good success at Suncorp Stadium. It's a fast track and it gives them a lot of confidence having the 52,500 people virtually on top of them.
"It certainly helps their style."
Although Suncorp has been a fortress for Australia, the All Blacks can still take great pride in their 13-2-2 record in Brisbane, where Bledisloe Cup encounters have traditionally been very tight.
Horan said the Wallabies' ability to make amends for their 39-10 loss to New Zealand in Auckland last month by beating the Springboks 27-15 in their next start showed they can put the Johannesburg disaster behind them.
"The good thing about this year is we haven't lost two in a row," Horan said.
"Once you lose two in a row, the confidence is drained.
"You can get back up quite quickly. It's difficult when you lose two in a row."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
Reply With Quote
Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 
CHEERLEADERS ROCK!!! 
Originally Posted by Thequeerone
Courtesy of quality South African commentry
