The goal-kicking custom that Matt Giteau just can't get his head around
Matt Giteau may have played over 300 first-class professional games of rugby but there’s one European custom that he’s never adjusted to.
Giteau, who has often been handed the goal-kicking duties – whether it’s for the Wallabies, Brumbies or Toulon – is completely used to slotting the ball between the posts with a crowd roaring in the background, even if it’s the opposition’s supporters screaming blue murder from the stands.
Young Brumbies first five Noah Lolesio has been revolutionary for Matt Giteau’s former side in 2020:
Something the Australian centurion never got to grips with during his time in Europe, however, was the tradition for fans to ‘respect the kicker’ – which translates to stadiums going deathly quiet whenever the sharpshooters are lining up for a shot at goal.
“I wasn’t ready for it,” Giteau told RugbyPass about the European convention.
“When we went to Ireland, I actually didn’t know about it the first time we played a Test there and everyone went quiet. I was like, ‘what is this?’”
While it’s an age-old tradition in places like Munster, the eerie silence has descended upon many a ground in Europe, with a number of Irish, British and French teams all adopting the convention in recent times.
“For whatever reason, through my review, I hadn’t picked up any of that,” said Giteau about the first time he was forced to take a shot at goal in silence.
“When you go to training you’ve got boys screaming. You never really practise in total silence.
“I always found it pretty hard.”
In fact, it’s the size and behaviour of the crowds that 37-year-old Giteau has identified as one of the major differences between playing rugby in Europe and playing rugby in Japan, where the former Wallaby is winding down his career.
“That was probably the biggest shock,” Giteau said.
“When I first went to France, the size of the crowds and how passionate they were was incredible. And then to go to Japan…
“Sometimes I’d be warming up, passing the football and there would be no one in the stands. I’d be thinking ‘what am I doing here?’”
Noah Lolesio has been a revelation for @BrumbiesRugby this season – but its only recently that he's actually moved into the 10 role. #SuperRugby #Wallabies https://t.co/Wp01EgwsNo
— Tom Vinicombe (@TomVinicombe) March 29, 2020
While there’s fierce provincial rivalry in the Top 14, it’s a completely different landscape in Japan’s Top League, with each side representing a major conglomerate.
“When you represent a company, it’s a bit different as far as trying to get fans to really get behind your team,” said Giteau. “People might drink Suntory beer but they have a Panasonic fridge.”
That all changed in 2020, however, on the back of Japan’s incredible run at last year’s World Cup.
“Since the World Cup and the success they had, the crowds have been massive,” Giteau said.
“The players have turned into superstars, they go into hiding, there’s genuinely paparazzi running around.
“It’s a great experience for them, great for the country and great for rugby – the difference has been huge.”
While the Top League has been called to a halt due to coronavirus, crowds were incredibly healthy in the first health of the season with upwards of 20,000 screaming supporters regularly showing up to see some icons of the game take the field.
Over 37,000 fans attended the January match between the Panasonic Wild Knights (coached by one of Giteau’s former bosses at the Wallabies, Robbie Deans) and the Kobelco Steelers, setting a new competition record.
Giteau is currently in his final season with Suntory Sungoliath and is hopeful that his club will get to play at least one more game this year before he calls time on his professional playing days.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments