Wallabies World Cup: Matt Giteau shaping as key man for Australia
MATT Giteau didn’t make the 2011 World Cup, but he is shaping as a key man for the Wallabies in the 2015 edition.
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IN 2011 he was notoriously deemed surplus to the Wallabies’ World Cup requirements.
This year, however, Matt Giteau will not only be back in the fold but his talents could be one of a few crucial elements to dictate the make-up of the entire 2015 Wallabies World Cup squad.
Giteau is all-but certain to be named as one of the Wallabies’ 31-man squad when coach Michael Cheika unveils it on Friday in Sydney.
Not unlike his weekly Test selection, Cheika was still weighing up a range of options this week ahead of him informing players on Thursday.
While many players would have reason to feel safe after heavy involvement in the Rugby Championship, many more would not have the same confidence and as is the way, big names will miss out.
Stars such as Will Genia, James Horwill, Henry Speight and Drew Mitchell have already been touted as those names.
Giteau appears certain to be selected for his third World Cup after impressing Cheika immensely in his return to Test rugby.
The 32-year was infamously omitted from the 2011 World Cup squad by Robbie Deans, but was so dominant in a four-year stint in France since, that the ARU laws were changed to allow selection of players like him from overseas.
Giteau will be picked as a centre but his versatility to cover halfback has opened the door for Cheika to take only two halfbacks to the World Cup.
Third halfbacks are rarely taken to a World Cup, and Giteau covered the role (unused) in 2003 and 2007. With Nick Phipps a Cheika regular and Nic White starting in Auckland, the injured Genia could be the unlucky one. But White left the door open with a poor game against the All Blacks.
Cutting a halfback would open up space for an extra outside back, meaning both Mitchell and Speight could be picked instead of their apparent jostle for one spot, ahead of Joe Tomane.
But whether Cheika decides an extra outside back is worth the gamble of two halfbacks — a player can only be brought into the squad if there is a tournament-ending injury — is yet to be seen.
Giteau held his own in Sydney for ten minutes but a reserve must be able to play 79 minutes, and there is no margin for error at a World Cup. Deans discovered that taking only one no. 7 in 2011.
The effort gone into making all Wallabies backs utility players gives Cheika plenty of flexibility and cover, in any case — even taking three halfbacks in a 13-back/18 forward split.
The Waratahs centres Adam Ashley-Cooper and Kurtley Beale, for example, will both be back-three players at the World Cup.
Up front, three hookers would have to be taken for insurance and so would five props. To gamble with four props to pick up extra back rowers/locks would see every prop be required to play in every game. Should even a one-week injury arise for Sekope Kepu, for example, he would have to replaced for good and be out of the tournament.
Locks will be crucial in a set-piece heavy World Cup, and line out technicians Rob Simmons and Dean Mumm would be locks. Will Skelton’s power gets him a start, leaving Kane Douglas and James Horwill fighting for a spot.
Sam Carter’s unfortunate injury makes him an longshot.
Horwill has the running after good TRC form but Douglas is one of Cheika’s favourites and he may bank on him running into fitness during the tournament.
Mumm’s versatility as a no. 6 option could save Horwill or Douglas, however. Cheika will have David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Wycliff Palu and Ben McCalman locked in, with room for one more.
That could make Sean McMahon the bolter of the squad but the need for tall timber — and with George Smith in the UK as an injury standby — may see Cheika prefer to put Mumm, Horwill and Douglas all on the plane.
Originally published as Wallabies World Cup: Matt Giteau shaping as key man for Australia
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