Robbie Deans says no personal grudge with Matt Giteau – Rugby World Cup news
Robbie Deans, the head coach of the Wallabies, has discarded the speculations that there was a personal grudge involved in the decision making process of team selection. Deans appreciated the stalwart Giteau’s services for his country and said that Giteau
has done reasonably well for his country in the past. Robbie Deans has made two big decisions regarding the selection of Rugby World Cup squad for Wallabies. He dumped skipper Rocky Elsom in favour of James Horwill and sacked 92 capped Matt Giteau from his
final crew.
Talking about his selection, Robbie Deans said that he has made the decision in the best interests of Australian rugby and no one is discriminated in this regard. While talking about his possible rift with Matt Giteau, he said that, “It's nonsense [that
we don't get on] His attitude is exceptional. You don't get to play 92 Tests and have that sort of longevity in the game without having a good attitude. There's no easy way to deliver that sort of news. I wanted to be able to talk to him face to face. I didn't
want to impart the message via a text or a phone call. He's earned that respect.”
He further said that Giteau has not lost all chances to participate in Rugby World Cup 2011 as he has been kept in the standby lists. He argued that the six-week long event could provide him a chance and he is left with more rugby in the future. He supported
his conversation while saying that, “It's a long road, there's a long way to go," he said of the tournament. “We've got a 17-13 split [of forwards and backs] so the likelihood of us needing someone beyond the existing group is high.”
The Wallabies’ side is left with a single match before the start of Rugby World Cup in the ongoing Tri-Nations Cup against the All Blacks on August 27. The match would provide them an insight for the future as that how well new combinations could work during
the global show.
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