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Giteau in Brumbies sights
May 17, 2008 - 6:05PM
Leaving the Brumbies on a low note but with high hopes, Laurie Fisher says his now former club is planning to pursue a former player in Matt Giteau.
A microcosm of the Brumbies' Super 14 season saw them play 30 minutes of stunning rugby against the Western Force to score four tries in the first 25 minutes - only to fade out to a 29-22 loss and a negative record in 2008.
With Giteau named man-of-the-match after his direction and injection of brilliance sparked the Force's unanswered 29-point run, Fisher was put through the ringer in his last match in charge.
And while reiterating his belief he leaves the Brumbies in good shape despite missing finals for the fourth year in a row, Fisher said the club was planning an attempt to woo Giteau back to the nation's capital after the Wallabies superstar declined to extend his Force contract beyond 2009 earlier this year.
"I would anticipate the club would talk to him when his contract is up here," Fisher said.
"He will have a decision whether he stays here or goes to the Brumbies or go to the other two options," Fisher said.
"But I would anticipate the Brumbies would certainly be chasing Matt as he is a wonderful player and a local kid who we would love to have back in the Brumbies fold."
With Australian pride and battles for Wallabies spots the only tangibles riding on Friday's game, two tries to Francis Fainifo and one each to Mark Gerrard and Adam Ashley-Cooper gave Fisher's farewell party a blistering start.
But the anticipated celebration slowly fizzled out, with Giteau and new sensation James O'Connor sparking the Force and consigning the Brumbies to their worst Super rugby finish in a decade.
"It has been a bit like that during the season. We have done some very good things but have certainly let our foot off the pedal at times," Fisher said.
"When you get to the 13th game of the season, there are a lot of young players. But you have to draw a line in the sand somewhere about growing up and being accountable. I am sure that line was drawn today.
"The side is in pretty good nick, but it has got a lot of work to do to be competitive in this competition because it will only get harder next year.
"They will learn some things from the incoming coach (Andy Friend) and I am sure Stirling and the players will have some good ideas.
"'Friendy', when he comes in, will have a lot of wonderful thoughts and I think with the combination of all those factors I see a really good future for the team."
Mortlock said while the end of Fisher's era had been a let down, he could only see an upside through the emergence of players such as Christian Leiliifano and Tyrone Smith.
"As far as cycles go, I have got no doubt we are at the base of our cycle and I can only see positives moving forward," Mortlock said.
"I have got no doubt the foundations that Laurie has laid down for the team will hold us in good stead, in particular the directional change we have had mid-season."
AAP
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Originally Posted by Flamethrower
