Australia to stick with Giteau as main kicker
The Australian Wallabies have announced that they will be keeping centre Matt Giteau as their main kicker in international play.
Giteau’s abilities were brought into question after the youngster failed to make two penalties and two conversions in Australia’s recent one point loss to the New Zealand All Blacks in the final game of the Tri Nations tournament. Nevertheless, this is not
the first time Giteau has cost his side the game with his weak boot. Earlier in the year Giteau missed kicks that cost Australia a game against England, as well as errors that led to a loss at the hands of the Scottish.
Nevertheless, the Wallabies coaching staff firmly stands behind the centre. Assistant coach Richard Graham had this to say of Giteau’s competence at the tee. “Matt kicked 84% during Super Rugby. While some of his kicking throughout the Test season probably
hasn’t been as consistent as he’d liked to have seen it or we’d like to have seen it, the guy can kick. There’s obviously a flaw in his kick that in situations becomes apparent and doesn’t allow him to be as consistent as he wants to be, but what that flaw
is I couldn’t tell you.”
The rivalry between New Zealand and Australia is always a heated one and the Wallabies will want to be better for their next clash with the Kiwis in Hong Kong in October. A match that, barring injury, Giteau will be kicking for.
The Aussie side was the youngest in this year’s Tri Nation tournament and the development of the group was exciting to watch. Perhaps Giteau is just in need of more Test experience, as the pressure of kicking against New Zealand on the international stage
would be enough to ruffle any youngster.
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