Sore Giteau could miss Test
By Darren Walton
November 02, 2008 THE good news out of the lastest near-miss against New Zealand is that a depleted Australia only had one walking wounded.
The bad news is that it's Australia's most influential player, star five-eighth Matt Giteau.
Giteau was nursing ice packs on his left shoulder and neck after being on the wrong end of a heavy tackle from All Blacks flanker Jerome Kaino in the 19-14 Bledisloe Cup loss in Hong Kong on Saturday night.
The skilful play-maker was confident he'd be fine for Australia's next Test against Italy on Saturday, but Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, with a large 34-man squad at his disposal, will strongly consider resting his key charge.
With Berrick Barnes looking in nice touch when he made his comeback from a shoulder injury off the bench, Deans is unlikely to take risks with Giteau if he is less than fully fit for what appears, on paper, the easiest Test of the tough six-week tour.
"It's just a bit sore, the AC (joint). It's nothing major. It was a pretty physical game," Giteau said.
"The neck's just a little bit stiff. The shoulder's a bit sore. I'm a bit sore everywhere. But I think it's more just bruising.
"I'll be fit for next week. It's more just precautionary."
That same precaution, though, is what could have Giteau safely in the stands in Padova as Deans tests new combinations, bloods some less-experienced tourists and eases others back into the Test arena.
As well as Barnes possibly getting his first start since August, utility forward Hugh McMeniman (ankle) and No.8 Wycliff Palu (knee) are likely to gain recalls to the 22-man squad, if not the starting line-up.
Deans' challenge is to find spots for everyone.
He was chuffed with the performances on Saturday of several of his hungry Test newcomers, singling out flanker Dean Mumm, No.8 Richard Brown and half-back Luke Burgess for special praise.
"Dean Mumm - great game. Brownie - great game. Burgess, back from injury - great game," Deans said.
"They were outstanding. When you look at Mummy, it was his second (Test) outing. Brownie, his second outing. Remarkable.
"Burgess, first game back. I mean, it's tough going back to club rugby first game back, let alone to go into a contest like that.
"There's a lot of blokes who don't have a lot of kilometres on the clock and, while they are frustrated because they hoped for better, they have a greater understanding now of what's required.
"And with every outing, they'll be better for it.
"So we're exposing a group. Another one, David Pocock. You'll obviously see more of him as well.
"So it's good. Good for us."
Star winger Lote Tuqiri, though, is unlikely to be considered until the France Test on November 23 - or "England at the earliest" the week before, according to Deans, as he continues to make a slow recovery from post-Tri Nations knee surgery.
Tuqiri's ongoing absence leaves Deans to weigh up whether to retain double try-scorer Drew Mitchell for the Italy Test or give Lachie Turner or Digby Ioane a start.
