News

Deans confident over Giteau

December 01 2008

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans is confident that star fly-half Matt Giteau will opt to remain in Australia, despite a lucrative offer to head to France.

Bayonne have reportedly offered Giteau in excess of £4.25m ($6.5m) for a four-year stint in France, and even though Giteau is yet to make a decision he is thought to be leaning towards staying put.

The ARU have made it clear they will not allow Giteau a sabbatical season in France, and his current contract runs through until the end of the 2011 World Cup - limiting his options somewhat.

What's more is that any move would effectively mean an end, even if temporary, to his Wallaby career, and it seems as if that is what's most important to Giteau at present.

With Deans taking over at the start of the season many believe Australia are set for a special time under the New Zealander, and he believes Giteau will stay put in hope of winning trophies.

Since making his Test debut in 2002, the 26-year-old is yet to get his hands on a Bledisloe Cup, Tri-Nations trophy or World Cup.

"He's got more to do yet," Deans told AAP.

"He'll make his own choices, as everyone does. Obviously we'd be hopeful that he'd stick around, but that's his call.

"Obviously if he seeks counsel, I would help him with his decision making. But, at the end of the day, it's his decision because he's the bloke who has to live with it.""

Whilst Deans would ideally love Giteau to stay he is not getting himself worked up over the issue, safe in the knowledge that if Giteau was to leave Australia there are now other fly-half options - including Berrick Barnes and Quade Cooper.

"That's your aim always, not to be dependant, and I think we've made some headway to that end. Stirling Mortlock is no longer back-up ten," he said, only half joking.

Whilst Barnes and Cooper may not yet be in the same class as Giteau both are expected to have bright Wallaby careers. Given the manner in which Cooper has conducted himself on tour - a winning try against Italy on debut and a solid display at centre against Wales - Deans sees a bright future at fly-half for Australia.

"Right from his first moment in Test rugby, he's shown the ability to think beyond his particular channel and think for the team and that's a handy skill," Deans said.

"He's been exceptional. For a young man who is finding his feet at Super 14 level, he's shown in the opportunities he's had just how (high) his threshold can be.

"He's had a taste. He's liked it. He wants more. So he'll do what's required."