Matt Giteau

[Train Without a Station]

For what it's worth, I reviewed the 12s of major nations from Giteau's international peak as a 12, 2006 and now.

All 3 12's used by the AB's in the tri nations were 93kg. The Boks alternated between Olivia who was 93kg and De Villiers who was 103kg. Whilst the Poms had Tindall who was 102kg, Catt who was around 86kg and Stuart Abbott was 89kg.

Ireland had D'Arcy who was around 90kg and Wales had I think Matt Watkins who was around 95kg also.

Only 2 players to get significant game time were above 95kg. Tindall and De Villiers, and neither managed to be absolute first choice.

In 2015 all these nations have regular players that are 100Kg or heavier.

Nonu is 106kg. SBW is 108kg. Roberts is 110kg. Burrell, Barritt and Twelvetrees are over 100kg. Henshaw for Ireland is 102kg.

The only team that hasn't followed this path is France with Fofana at 12, but they have a much bigger 13 on Basteraad.

The game has changed from Giteau's prime as an international failure. To not consider this would be foolish.

Now yes, Giteau isn't a lot smaller than alternatives like Harris and To'omua for example. What he is though, is much less physically dominant.

 

[Marcelo]

For what it's worth, I reviewed the 12s of major nations from Giteau's international peak as a 12, 2006 and now.

All 3 12's used by the AB's in the tri nations were 93kg. The Boks alternated between Olivia who was 93kg and De Villiers who was 103kg. Whilst the Poms had Tindall who was 102kg, Catt who was around 86kg and Stuart Abbott was 89kg.

Ireland had D'Arcy who was around 90kg and Wales had I think Matt Watkins who was around 95kg also.

Only 2 players to get significant game time were above 95kg. Tindall and De Villiers, and neither managed to be absolute first choice.

In 2015 all these nations have regular players that are 100Kg or heavier.

Nonu is 106kg. SBW is 108kg. Roberts is 110kg. Burrell, Barritt and Twelvetrees are over 100kg. Henshaw for Ireland is 102kg.

The only team that hasn't followed this path is France with Fofana at 12, but they have a much bigger 13 on Basteraad.

The game has changed from Giteau's prime as an international failure. To not consider this would be foolish.

Now yes, Giteau isn't a lot smaller than alternatives like Harris and To'omua for example. What he is though, is much less physically dominant.

What's the point? None of Wallabies alternative for the jersey #12 is over 100 kgs (To'omua, Leali'ifano, Beale or Godwin) so this isn't relevant for the team

Wallabies don't have a #12 player over 100 kgs but have a HUGE #13, very physically dominant (Kuridrani). So the centres would be like France: "Fofana-Basteareaud"

The options:

12- To'omua 13- Kuridrani
12- Giteau 13- Kuridrani
12- Leali'ifano 13- Kuridrani
12- Beale 13- Kuridrani
12- Godwin 13- Kuridrani

Even JOC (James O'Connor) and QC (Quade Cooper) who could play in that position in a catastrophe of injuries, both aren't over 100 kg.

If you want a #12 over 100 kg, you have 2 options: Kuridrani and Folau, none of them have experience playing at 12. Poey has had more experiencie than them at 12

 

[USARugger]

What's the point?

I believe this was..

Now yes, Giteau isn't a lot smaller than alternatives like Harris and To'omua for example. What he is though, is much less physically dominant.

 

[qwerty51]

This debate feels so 2010-11. It was Giteau vs Barnes vs McCabe

He barely won it then, doesn't win it now.

 

[HighPlainsDrifter]

What a crap thread header !!!.... The "Matt Giteau Dilemma" or the "Matt Giteau Experience" (apologies to Hendrix) would be more fitting ?

 

[Blue]

I created this thread months ago when there wasn't even a thought of eligibility rule changes.

I did it solely based on what I saw in Git's play.

 

[Brumby Jack]

I created this thread months ago when there wasn't even a thought of eligibility rule changes.

I did it solely based on what I saw in Git's play.

Do you want a CEO's job? There could be one going in the near future.

 

[Blue]

Do you want a CEO's job? There could be one going in the near future.

No thanks.

Most definitely not.

 

[Jenkss]

Kerevi at 12?

Bit of an outside chance? Playing very well in a poor Reds team

 

[wamberal]

If Giteau is in the squad, it will be as a utility, he would be very handy on a bench with a 6/2 split.