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Matt Giteau stunner fails for Western Force
Wayne Smith | March 16, 2009
Article from: The Australian
WHERE would the Western Force be without Matt Giteau?
Sadly, from a Perth perspective, that question will be answered soon enough, when the gifted Wallabies playmaker packs up his kitbag at the end of the Super 14 season and heads back to his family home in Canberra to rejoin the Brumbies.
For the moment, however, it's a question worth dwelling on, because the evidence of Saturday's 23-all draw against the Crusaders, the second such scoreline between those sides in the past four years, is that without Giteau the Force would be in freefall towards the bottom of the table.
Instead it remains tenuously in touch with the top four, even if placed in ninth position, one rung above the Reds.
Giteau's stunning display of individual brilliance to carve up the Crusaders' midfield defence for a match-turning try to winger Haig Sare sparked the Force's second-half revival after it went to the break trailing 20-6.
t could easily have been 29-6 and game over had Crusaders kicker Stephen Brett not missed two goals from close to point-blank range.
Force coach John Mitchell was intent on spreading the praise around on his return to Perth yesterday, insisting Giteau's second-half heroics would not have been possible had the forwards not pressed the fast-forward button on ball delivery.
"If you can build pressure through quicker ball delivery, any side can be penetrated," Mitchell said. "Our ball delivery quickened up as the match wore on. I thought the way the guys kept going at them was fantastic."
Mitchell also commended the brave display of 18-year-old Wallaby James O'Connor who revelled in the second-half fightback. "He has a lot to learn but he has some gifts and some confidence. He certainly loves a tackle," Mitchell said.
Ironically, Giteau should have had a 78th minute chance to win the match for the Force after he was almost knocked out by an apparent late shoulder charge to the head by Crusaders defender Owen Franks. Had referee Marius Jonker or the assistant referees spotted the infringement, a groggy Giteau would have taken a penalty goal shot.
The incident went undetected until spotted by the citing commissioner, who has ordered Franks to front a SANZAR judicial officer in Christchurch today, too late to rescue the Force from a draw that left both teams feeling both relieved and frustrated.
Still, the Force did complete a difficult three-match road trip with seven competition points out of a maximum of 15 on offer, a return most sides would accept from away fixtures against the Brumbies, Chiefs and Crusaders.
Yet it is the home fixtures at Subiaco Oval, particularly those immediately following a tour abroad that traditionally bring the Force undone. Last year, for example, the Force had a dream visit to New Zealand, beating the Blues and the Highlanders but on returning to Perth promptly spoiled captain Nathan Sharpe's 100th Super rugby appearance by losing 32-16 to the Stormers.
"We've done that a couple of times, coming back from road trips and not being mentally focused enough," Mitchell said.
It was a bruised and battered Force side that landed in Perth yesterday, with wingers Cameron Shepherd (ankle), Nick Cummins (hamstring) and prop Ben Castle (neck-shoulder) the players causing most concern.
However, Test number eight Richard Brown is expected to return from his AC shoulder problem while injury-hit World Cup backline utility Scott Staniforth is also back in the selection frame.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html
yeha! staniforth!However, Test number eight Richard Brown is expected to return from his AC shoulder problem while injury-hit World Cup backline utility Scott Staniforth is also back in the selection frame.
From what the press and Fox sports says you would think that the team was the Giteau Force. He was not the only person on the field! If the other 14 were not there he wouldn't have the bloody ball. Maybe once Gits leaves us the press might recognise the other talent on the pitch.
Good point. Giteau has moments like that quite often, where he plays instinctively what's in front of him. He beats the line with sheer brilliance and footwork. A world class 12 if ever I've seen one. What we need is a very competent 10 who can run our world class backs and in particular unleash Rabbit at 12.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Wayne Smith you are an utter idiot you have no clue of rugby
It is a 15 man game where every single player is needed for one to stand out
Gits did play well but remember he had to get the ball first from his forward and also he had to ofload the ball to someone, and without those people he is nothing doesn't matter who he plays for!!!
Unfortunately, this is one area that I believe Wayne Smith speaks some truth.
CHEERLEADERS ROCK!!!
no doubt he is a game winner and we will hurt without him... but we certainly have options that can emerge once he leaves.... all is not lost... not by a looong shot!
Gits had a great game, probably because they were behind and he was forced to run and build phases. He isn't a great 10 but he is a great runner of the ball. I'd love to see him at 15. He'd carve up.
I personally think 12 is his go but I suppose the argument is that you want the ball in his hands more.
Hopefully he'll run more and kick it less.
Everybody is replaceable. Another young man will come along. Good riddance to bad blood. Daruda, JOC could step up. Maybe they'll get another foreign international? Where would that leave BC?
How about some running rugby from the attack coach?
It cuts both ways when you have a "star" player in the backline, there is an expectation that they will guide the ship and do something brilliant because they "always do". But then when they don't there is little Plan B to fall back on.
I don't subscribe to the "We are doomed" theory of Giteau's depature at all.
There is a potential for that to be the path but there is also six or seven months to build a fully functioning unit in the backs &/or buy in a replacement or try and lure back a past player.
Giteau is a very good player and we would miss him if we expected someone else to fill his boots. Mitch and whatever team list remains will be well aware of the need to adapt and build for the future without a celebrity.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
But muddy said.........
Sorry Pete not this match Gits set up both tries and kick all the points... the Force might have had 15 players but most playing at 70%...The other guys let in 23 points... by a poor first half... away Brown back this weekend, with him back things will be looking better in the forwards...
Sorry Mudskipper, this isn't Giteau and co this is the Western Force who as a unit created the play and as a unit let in 23 points Matt Giteau is not perfect and he had a role in both of those things. He saw an opening and did quite a lot in both of the tries, but you cannot say that if the other 14 men hadn't been there he could have done it. Our forwards worked at the breakdown and Valentine got the ball away and someone drew out a defender and THEN Giteau slipped in. Rugby is not a one man show.
A kick in this game is like a rather nasty alcoholic shooter, only as good as it's chaser...
Courtesy of quality South African commentry
As great as what Giteau is I often think that our backline tends to wait for him to create everything rather than take responsibility for creating opportunities themselves. I also tend to agree that he makes a better 12 as we seem to lack versatility in our attacking options.