WA reply to Giteau speculation
October 30 2008
Rugby West Australia has replied in a strongly-worded statement to allegations that Wallaby star Matt Giteau had threatened to walk out on the Western Force.
In a statement released on Thusday, RugbyWA attempted to clearify the speculation arising form an article published in the West Australian newspaper under the headline 'Giteau Bombshell'.
The article implied that RugbyWA had "facilitated a compromise arrangement" for Giteau to offset his financial loss due to the demise of a sponsor on the condition that he extended his contract with the Western Force for 2010 and 2011 - basically, that they'd give him his lost cash to stay in Perth.
Giteau has been in ongoing contract talks with rugby WA for some time now, with the star fly-half refusing to sign, preferring to take more time to consider his options.
"While RugbyWA has facilitated, with the permission of the ARU, an arrangement with a company to offset Matt's losses for 2008 and 2009, it has not been party to any offers made for the 2010 and 2011 seasons," read the statement.
"RugbyWA wishes to clarify that it has honoured all contractual commitments to Matt and is not responsible for arrangements made between a player and a personal sponsor separate to his contract with the club," read the statement.
"RugbyWA is committed to ensuring the welfare of all its employees and as a responsible employer has assisted Matt to mitigate his financial losses for the period of his current contract with the club, as it did for other players affected by the failure of Firepower, including Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross and Drew Mitchell.
"It is important to note that under ARU contracting protocols, RugbyWA is forbidden to make payments to players to offset the loss of any arrangement with a 'third party' or personal sponsor."
RugbyWA CEO Greg Harris said Giteau would remain a key player for the Western Force in 2009.
"Matt is an extremely valuable member of our team who is adored by the supporters and we'd like to think he'll honour his commitments with the Western Force in 2009," said Harris.
"At this stage we have no indication that Matt wishes to be released from his contract and we are approaching things as business as usual," he said.
"Obviously Matt is one of finest players in the country and an integral member of our organisation and we'd love to keep him here in Perth well beyond next season."