Rugby:Veteran outhalf Matt Giteau has hinted he has been overlooked for Australia's World Cup squad. The Wallabies are due to name their 30-man squad tomorrow, but Giteau broke ranks this morning to suggest his omission on the social networking site Twitter.
“Really wanna thank everyone for the support! Was a huge honour to get the chance to represent my country as often as I did #veryprivileged.” he wrote.
Giteau’s place in the squad has been uncertain after he had fallen out of favour since the Wallabies’ shock loss to Samoa last month. The veteran of 91 tests has not been included in the match-day squad since.
Should Giteau be left out of Australia’s squad it could spell the end of his international career with the 28-year-old due to join French side Toulon after the World Cup.
Australia coach Robbie Deans was due to inform players today whether they were in the squad for the World Cup, which begins in New Zealand on September 9th and includes a pivotal clash against Ireland.
A string of former Wallabies had called on Deans to spare Giteau. Deans was keeping his cards close to his chest when he returned from South Africa today but was met with a barrage of advice from former players and coaches to include Giteau in his 30-man party for the World Cup in New Zealand.
"He's too good a player to leave out of the squad in total," former outhalf Mark Ella wrote in Australia’s Daily Telegraph.
Stephen Larkham pointed out the backline options that Giteau, who has scored 684 test points, would offer the Wallabies. "Gits can play anywhere, including halfback. He's very versatile, is a left-foot option and is very experienced," the 1999 World Cup winner said. "You want someone like that in the squad."
Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, who led Australia's 2003 World Cup campaign, was in no doubt the 28-year-old was a still a world-class player and should be included.
"He's still got it, mate," he told the paper. "He understands the game, is a left-foot kick and can play nine, 10 and 12. Not many footballers can do that. He'd be in the top three halfbacks running around in Australia anyway."
