Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Ex-Australia international Matt Giteau's posts tongue-in-cheek quip after local Canberra comeback

By Online Editors
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Matt Giteau has quipped he will get his mother along next time to help improve the crowd atmosphere after the former Australia international made his first appearance in 14 years on Saturday in the Dent Cup. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Having called time on his stellar professional career earlier the year when the pandemic outbreak led to the cancellation of the 2020 Top League season, the 37-year-old came off the bench at the weekend for the Gungahlin Eagles in the tournament for first-grade teams in the Canberra area.  

It was 2006, just a few seasons into Giteau’s 103 Test match career with Australia, when the back last appeared in the local competition, but he was convinced by Marco Caputo, the Eagles coach, during a meeting in a cafe to make a comeback all these years later. 

Video Spacer

RugbyPass brings you the latest episode of The Aussie Rugby Show featuring Drew Mitchell

Video Spacer

RugbyPass brings you the latest episode of The Aussie Rugby Show featuring Drew Mitchell

That return was due to happen last weekend but it was delayed a week and Giteau eventually appeared from the sideline wearing an unfamiliar No24 jersey. 

BarTV Sports, who were streaming the club match, tweeted a tongue-in-cheek welcome. “Listen to the roar of that crowd (in the crowd’s defence, it was pretty cold)! A pleasure to broadcast the return of a legend.” Giteau later replied, “Need some louder cheer squads next time. Have to bring mum.”

The veteran told RugbyPass earlier this year that 2020 would be his last in the professional ranks. “It was always decided that it was going to be my last year,” he said. “My kids are getting older now and it’s just harder and harder the time you spend away.

“It’s not ideal but there are more pressing issues in the world – like I said, perspective’s a big thing. While I would’ve liked to end it differently, playing footy and trying to give everything I could for Suntory… If this is the end, then this is the end.”

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Diamond demands law change while accusing Tigers of illegal activity Diamond demands law change while accusing Tigers of illegal activity
Search