Giteau at halfback?

[aussies1st]

Matt may replace Gregan
By Peter Badel
September 18, 2005

WALLABIES coach Eddie Jones has flagged the possibility of Matt Giteau succeeding George Gregan at halfback in a bid to re-ignite the Australian scrumbase.

But Jones insisted Gregan did not face a "make or break" tour of Europe in November as the heat intensifies on the besieged skipper.

Gregan, 32, has come under fire not only for his reluctance to impose himself in attack but also the speed of his delivery to the backline.

Those concerns prompted David Campese to suggest Jones hand Giteau the No9 jumper.

The Wallabies coach admits the talented Giteau could be the answer at halfback ahead of Gregan's deputy, Chris Whitaker and rising star Matt Henjak.

"I think halfback could be Matt's best position," Jones said. "He's already an outstanding 12 (outside centre) and a very good 10 (five-eighth), so he's the sort of guy who could play any number of positions.

"While it's great to have a specialist, when you have a talent like Giteau you can play him anywhere and be confident he can do the job."

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,16636204-23217,00.html

I think Giteau should stay at 12 as thats where he is at his best. Being at halfback would limit his space.

 

[Jackal Dog]

Interesting.... personally I don't think Giteau has what it takes to be a world class first 5/8 he played well against a bunch of chumps (Samoa, Italy and England last year) but in the TN this year he was really disappointing, halfback? maybe but I think he is more suited to inside centre imho.

 

[Scott]

He is a 12 at the moment. He will be a 10. He is a superb player, imo the best in Australia at the moment.

He should never be a halfback.

 

[aussies1st]

He saw against England what he can do at 10 but he hasn't stepped up since. He is either 10 or 12 definitely not 9.

 

[Twizzle]

stand off at best, but not half

 

[Mal Meninga]

Limiting his ability at #9.

 

[lockyno1]

He is still better than Gregan!

 

[Timbo]

Chris Whitaker must have run over Eddie Jones's cat or something.

He's been consistantly the best scrum half in Australia since the WC and he can't get a look in.

 

[aussies1st]

Its too late for Whits now. We should be looking to the future.

 

[Stuart]

I think the force is going to be good for our scrumhalf development, i think it has been somewhat stiffled by the fact Whits and Gregan have had their respective spots for so long. At least now there will be another scrumhalf playing super 14 regularly.

 

[Jackal Dog]

Chris Whitaker must have run over Eddie Jones's cat or something.

He's been consistantly the best scrum half in Australia since the WC and he can't get a look in.

The problem is he is only 18 months younger than George, so by the time 07 rolls around he won't be much better. It sucks because 03 really should of been Gregan's swansong and Whits could of taken over but now it looks as though Whits will go his whole career as a understudy.

 

[aussies1st]

Just like MacGill is to Warne. Whats with Aus having 2 good players at once.

 

[Iafeta]

Halfback?

Why not go the whole hog and move him to prop - god knows you need a decent pair of those.

 

[aussies1st]

He would be the fast prop ever

 

[lockyno1]

He would be the fast prop ever

Hey Dunning can take an intercept!:lol:

 

[aussies1st]

And kick a field goal :roll:

 

[CanadianSteve]

In my limited time of following rugby (since 2001), I've seen a number of players switch positions, but never any switch from soething else to scrumhalf, or from scrumhalf to something else. Am I right that those type of moves are rare?

I think Giteau would give the Wallies the running threat from the 9 spot that Gregan doesn't give them. Assuming he could handle the scrum half skills.

 

[aussies1st]

Very rare. The french guy, Fredrick M. moved from 10 to 9.