Lolesio’s substitute can shine: Wallabies great Giteau
Melissa Woods |
Test centurion Matt Giteau believes Ben Donaldson should wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey against the British and Irish Lions, but says it’s “silly” not to include a veteran playmaker in the squad.
With first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio ruled out of the series after neck surgery, Donaldson and Tom Lynagh are the front-runners for the role for the opening Test in Brisbane on July 19.
Giteau, who played at both 10 and 12 for Australia during his 103 Tests, told AAP that Donaldson showed enough in the Wallabies’ last-ditch win over Fiji to be given first start.
The Western Force star replaced Lolesio, who suffered a whiplash injury in a tackle, and Giteau was impressed by his composure as well as his skill during his 19 minutes on the field.
“With Noah unavailable, Ben Donaldson looks like first-choice 10 to me,” said Giteau, who is an ambassador for Lions Tour official sleep partner Resmed.
“His obvious ability to carry, he keeps the defence guessing, and he’s got a really good kicking game.
“When he came on for that limited time against Fiji, the Wallabies were up against the flow of the game, heavily, and he was able to get them back on track.
“His penalty kick to the sideline with three minutes to go showed a lot of courage, you know. He went for it and it was a beautiful kick.
“Got us down their end, and then off the back of that we were able to get a maul penalty … and then able to get over the line and get the win.
“So I just think his composure in the first Test of the season, especially in an important time in the game, he showed a lot there, so I think Joe (Schmidt) will get a lot of confidence out of his performance.”
Back in 2015 then Test coach Michael Cheika recalled 92-capped Giteau from France to bolster his squad leading into the World Cup, with the relaxation in overseas selection dubbed the Giteau Law.
The former Brumbies and Force player was instrumental in helping Australia make the final in England, with Cheika lauding his big-match experience.
Giteau said underdogs Australia would benefit from coach Schmidt including a veteran such as James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale or Bernard Foley when the squad for the Lions is named on Friday.
He likened it to the Lions flying in Owen Farrell, who is the only player in their squad to have gone on four Lions tours, winning in 2013 against the Wallabies.
“They’ve seen so many different defence pictures in their time that they can help these young 10s if they are faced with a certain situation in those games, they can prepare them,” said 42-year-old Giteau, who only retired last year.
“You look at Owen Farrell’s inclusion, what he’s bringing is leadership and experience – he’s the only one in that group that’s won a Lions series.
“James (O’Connor) and Kurtley (Beale) were part of the previous tour 12 years ago, and Bernard has got big-game experience as well, so these guys have been there and done that.
“To not include any of them this second time around, I think would be silly when they’ve got so much that they can add and help, not only young 10s, but just the whole squad in general.”
Exiled by then Wallabies coach Robbie Deans before the 2011 World Cup, Giteau’s shift to France meant he didn’t face the Lions in 2013.
He was only a teenager making his Super debut during the previous series in 2001.
Giteau said it was only now that he realised the magnitude of missing out on ever playing the Lions, despite a 20-plus year career.
“In 2013 when they came I was in France … and 2001 I just finished school, so I wasn’t really reading papers or going to games, so I didn’t really understand how massive this opportunity is,” he said.
“But then to sit back and reflect and know that I played over 20 years professionally, but never got the opportunity to play in a Lions series, it is special, and I think the players know that.”
AAP
