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TOULON: Matt Giteau opted not to return to Australia and signed a new contract with French Top 14 leaders Toulon instead because he realised with Robbie Deans as national coach he had no chance of a recall to the Wallabies squad.
The 31-year-old was sensationally left out of last year's World Cup squad by Deans - who had originally made him his first choice fly-half in 2008 before his dramatic fall from grace with the Kiwi coach - despite still being in top form and with 92 caps under his belt since making his debut in 2002.
Giteau - who played in the 2003 World Cup final loss to England - signed for Toulon and enjoyed a terrific first season there, in which they reached the title final only to lose to Toulouse, and was only too willing to re-sign a new two year contract last month.
"Yes, I have brought a curtain down on my chances of ever playing for my country again," he said.
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"But with the coach who is in charge of them at the moment, I don't have much of a chance of being called up in any case.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...#ixzz2BZx4RvJ8