Matt Giteau reveals why his globe-trotting 20-year odyssey is coming to an end
If you’re looking for a quintessential example of the modern-day rugby professional, then you need look no further than Matt Giteau.
The Canberra-born utility back spent his formative years with the Brumbies before heading west to join Perth’s Western Force in 2007.
After three years with the Force, Giteau ended his Super Rugby career back home with the Brumbies then headed to the Northern Hemisphere to spend some time with French heavy-spenders Toulon.
After six seasons and three European titles in the south of France, Giteau relocated to Tokyo to wind up his career with Suntory Sungoliath.
It’s a globe-trotting journey to rival Odysseus’ – and one which has probably now come to a premature end thanks to the current coronavirus pandemic.
“It was always decided that it was going to be my last year,” Giteau revealed to RugbyPass from his home in Australia.
“My kids are getting older now and it’s just harder and harder the time you spend away.”
Giteau’s two boys were both born during his French sojourn and they, along with Giteau’s wife Bianca, have spent the better part of his spell with Suntory living in Australia.
Former Wallaby Matt Giteau sat down with me to have a chat and reflected on one of the toughest period of his career – the build up to 2011. #wallabieshttps://t.co/J2mWsYKPy7
— Tom Vinicombe (@TomVinicombe) April 2, 2020
Thankfully, the Top League’s lengthy breaks haven’t made it too difficult for the family to remain connected, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been tough.
“Being in Japan… I enjoy it and I enjoy the culture; I love the team, I love the people but if I were to do it again, it’d feel like a really selfish decision for me,” Giteau said.
And there’s no doubt that Japan has been an incredible time for the globe-trotter.
“The people there are great, the food’s unbelievable, the language is impossible – I’ve never really got a handle on it,” said Giteau. “But yeah, I’ve really enjoyed it.”
From a rugby point of view, Giteau’s was shocked by something that many of Japan’s recent Top League migrants are still blown away by.
“At Toulon, I was one of the fitter guys and then once I got to Suntory I was at the back of the pack,” he said. “It was intense.
“The physicality is not the same but the amount of running and the intensity they do at training is something else. That was probably the hardest thing to readjust.
“That first, initial shock of the fitness and the amount of running that they expected – especially in my position, I found that pretty tough.”
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Giteau had heard good things about the Suntory club from his former Wallabies and Brumbies teammate George Smith, but Smith had never mentioned the tough fitness regime – not that it would have made a difference to Giteau’s expectations.
“George has never been a fit guy,” said Giteau. “If he ever told me it was tough, it could be any team he’s at, puffing along.
“For some reason, he’s game fit, but the running fitness he always struggles with, so it was never something he really told me about.”
Giteau and Smith’s relationship dates back to Giteau’s initial years with the Brumbies in Super Rugby.
Sydney-born Smith was signed by the Brumbies for the 1999 season and Giteau joined him at the Eddie Jones’ coached side two years later.
Smith’s arrival at the Canberra side coincided with a rise in the Brumbies’ fortunes. They jumped from 10th to 5th place in Smith’s first year, made the final in 2000 and then, in Giteau’s first year with the side, won their first-ever Super Rugby title.
Three years later, they were crowned champions once more.
Giteau spent eight years with the Brumbies altogether, sandwiched around his three-year stint with the Force, before heading to France in 2011.
Despite the likely move from Japan back to Australia and the fact that his body is still holding up well, Giteau isn’t planning on lacing up the boots for a second send-off with the Brumbies.
“I still support the Brumbies,” Giteau said. “I still love watching the boys plays.
“But Super Rugby, for me, as soon as I left… It didn’t interest me anymore, other than as a spectator.
Our series continues with an examination of the roles and responsibilities required to build the perfect inside centre, according to @alexshawsport.https://t.co/SriDY3lPjf
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 20, 2020
“There was never one game where I was watching Super Rugby and thinking ‘gee I wouldn’t mind playing this game today’ – not once.”
Could that be because the playmaker was graced with two titles so early in his career?
“Yeah, potentially,” said Giteau.
“I don’t know, it’s a hard one to answer hypothetically. Early on, I was fortunate to win one. That’s a hard one… I suppose so – although, I never won a Bledisloe and when I watch those, I don’t feel like playing those anymore.”
Giteau further poured cold water on any chances of a miraculous return for the Wallabies.
“It’s similar now when I watch Test footy,” he said. “I was doing a bit of corporate work at the World Cup and you get there and the buzz and excitement around it is actually quite cool and you feel like playing – but you forget about that week that went into getting ready for the game.
“As soon as you remember that mental prep and everything that you need to do, you very quickly felt comfortable being just a spectator.”
And while Giteau must remind himself sometimes of the tougher moments in order to not get too nostalgic about the past, his 20-year professional career is paved with incredible memories.
“I remember pretty much every game I’ve played,” Giteau said.
“You remember the emotions you go through, you remember getting picked for teams. I think that type of buzz never really goes away, no matter how long you’re there. Having a good win with the team, celebrating with the boys or a special move coming off… Those type of things, you never lose that enjoyment for rugby.
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“Even though I’m paid to play sport, it’s always been about the fun and enjoying it.”
The focus is now shifting for Giteau, however, with the time spent away from his boys becoming tougher and tougher.
“I’ve never known any different; I’ve always had them with me,” Giteau said. “They were born in France, we were obviously living together in France, they came over to Japan for a year.”
“When they first left, it was pretty hard – but I’ve always loved footy and I knew that I was making this commitment and sacrifice for the right reasons for my family.
“Still, that was probably the only period where I wondered if it was really worth it. Like, I love footy, but is it worth the loneliness so much? Because you have a lot of downtime.
“There’s no doubt that it was tough at times but, ultimately, I’m getting paid to played rugby. Again, that perspective comes back to it. If you allow yourself to play the victim, it’s very easy, so I just try to stay as positive as I can and enjoy my rugby – which I was able to do.
And while Giteau will be disappointed to have his final season of professional rugby cut short, the opportunity to spend more time with his friends and family in Australia is the obvious, massive silver lining.
“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.”
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to comments