Justin Harrison rebukes Robbie Deans for not including Matt Giteau in RWC squad - Rugby News
Former Wallabies player, Justin Harrison, has scolded Robbie Deans for discarding Matt Giteau from the 2011 Rugby World Cup squad. Harrison declared the sacking of Giteau unfair and said that he must be the part of Wallabies 30-member squad because of his
vast experience. Talking to reporters on August 19 the ex-Wallabies player said that Australian selectors have committed a blunder while keeping Matt Giteau away from their RWC crew. Deans dumped Giteau from his final squad while naming his side for RWC 2011
on August 19.
The Australian Head Coach made two surprise changes in his team for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup starting next month in New Zealand. He dropped Giteau from the side and deprived Rocky Elsom from the captaincy of Australia just weeks before the starting
of the global showpiece. Giteau was one of the most senior members of the Wallabies side but Deans was not impressed with his current performance after the debacle of the Samoa defeat.
Talking to the journalists about removing Giteau, Justin Harrison said that, “Despite what some Sydney scribes may have you believe regarding Matt Giteau and the way he has been playing, I'm disappointed with the decision to drop him.”
While criticising Deans, the former lock said that, “I am a great mate of his but I'm not just saying this. If I felt anyone wasn't good enough, regardless of whether or not they were a friend, I would say but having played with and then coached Matt at
the Brumbies some of the things that have been written couldn't be further from the truth.”
Earlier, Matt Giteau was supported by former two greats Stephen Larkham and Mark Ella but Deans remained stuck to his own opinion. The pair thought that Giteau is a versatile player and could play any position under the given situation.
Yesterday, Deans denied the speculations that Giteau was dropped from the Wallabies team due to personal grudges. Deans said that Giteau is left with plenty of rugby in the future but currently he has no place in the side.
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