Giteau adds 'fear factor' to Wallabies
Matt Giteau's selection has added a 'fear factor' to the Australian team ahead of their Rugby Championship opener against South Africa.
Giteau was recalled by the Wallabies after a four-year absence on Thursday, while halfbacks Quade Cooper (No.10) and Will Genia (No.9) were also reunited for Saturday's outing in Brisbane.
The Toulon-based Giteau was named at inside centre, while the Reds pair – Cooper and Genia – will play together for the Wallabies for the first time since 2013.
They are part of coach Michael Cheika's first squad of the season, on the road to the World Cup in England and Wales in September.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, who has a few veterans in his line-up as well, said experience is a vital factor and Giteau has oodles of that.
"World Cups are not always about the best teams winning it," Meyer told a media scrum in Brisbane.
"You need guys who can win under pressure, and the guys who can perform under pressure are those with experience."
Giteau's creativity is well known and alongside Cooper he forms a very dangerous two-pronged attacking force.
"I rate Matt Giteau very highly," The Bok coach said, adding: "He is an unbelievable player, be that at No.,10 or No.12.
"He's a great playmaker and he's won a lot of championships and trophies, especially with Toulon."
Apart from his obviously qualities as a playmaker, Meyer feels the 32-year-old is a talisman for the Wallabies.
"He can get their backline going with his experience. You can't buy [that kind of] experience."
Meyer added that there is a need for balance.
"If you look at our side, there is a balance. I never thought I would have one or two players with no Test match [experience] going into the last few matches in the last few games before the World Cup.
"This shows there are always youngsters pushing.
"However, you do need some experience, especially in key positions and I think he [Giteau] will add a lot of value to them."
Giteau has at length expressed his gratitude at being given another chance to play for the Wallabies and he believed he would cherish whatever opportunities presented themselves in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup, to be hosted by England.
"I've matured a lot I think, both on and off the field," Giteau said in Brisbane on Thursday.
"I think having kids and seeing rugby in a different light has probably done that to me. I realise the importance and the kind of position I was in, the privilege that I had, which I took for granted.
"It's one that I really cherish and … I'm very proud to be back playing for the team."
Giteau, who will be joined by Australian Toulon teammate Drew Mitchell in the Wallabies matchday squad to face the Springboks, has spoken about his excitement of linking up again with halves pairing Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
But he was also looking forward to partnering Tevita Kuridrani in the midfield against the Springboks, the Brumbies outside centre having proven in his 20 Tests appearances that he was a world-class 13.
"Tevita's got some great footwork, defensively he's very solid, he's strong with the ball," Giteau said.
"These are guys that I've been watching while I've been back in France. I watched Super Rugby a lot. I watched the Tests, I was supporting the players, so these were guys I was able to admire and see."
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