Deans wouldn’t pick me says Giteau

Matt Giteau says he chose not to return to Australia because he was convinced he could not have revived his Wallaby career however well he played Down Under. [more]

Deans wouldn’t pick me says Giteau

Matt Giteau says he chose not to return to Australia because he was convinced he could not have revived his Wallaby career however well he played Down Under.

Giteau’s decision to sign a contract extension with Toulon last month ended his hopes of facing the Lions next summer but he insists his dream was never going to be realised while Robbie Deans remained in charge of Australia.

"Yes, I have brought a curtain down on my chances of ever playing for my country again. But with the coach who is in charge of them at the moment, I don't have much of a chance of being called up in any case," said Giteau.

"Even if I had returned to Australia, a condition of being available again for selection, I would maybe not have been recalled.

"I didn't make the last World Cup. Robbie is as he is. The coaches like certain players and others less. It has always been the case. I don't enter into the plans of Robbie.

"Thus I decided to stay at Toulon, where I am flourishing. But I remain a devoted supporter of the Australian team and I still have a lot of friends in the squad."

Giteau hasn’t played for his country since 2011 having being controversially left out of the World Cup squad.

He publicly criticised head coach Deans during the fall out and hasn’t added to his 92 international caps since moving to France in November last year.

But an unlikely recall suddenly seemed a possibility this autumn after it was revealed that Giteau attempted to offer an olive branch to Deans ahead of Australia’s four-match tour of Europe.

A Wallaby spokesperson confirmed that the pair had exchanged pleasantries via a series of emails in which Giteau reportedly offered his services should the injury-hit Wallabies require them against France, England, Italy and Wales, but Giteau failed to make the tour party regardless.

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