Argument for:
It’s already being called the “Giteau Rule”.
The ARU’s relaxing of its eligibility guidelines for overseas players means 92 Test cap playmaker Matt Giteau is back in the frame for a World Cup spot.
Michael Cheika would be a fool to overlook the two-time Super Rugby winning playmaker.
Since Giteau left Australia for a huge contract at Toulon, he’s won two European Cups and a French Top-14 title.
During Toulon’s all-conquering 2013-14 season, Giteau scored 10 tries in 24 games, made over 100 tackles and kicked at over to 80%.
He ended up being named the player of the year at the French rugby awards. Second place was England’s World Cup winning hero Jonny Wilkinson…lofty opposition.
Meanwhile the Wallabies churned through fly-halves, inside-centres and, as a result, coaches.
They’ve lost Tests to Scotland, Argentina, France, England, South Africa, New Zealand and the British & Irish Lions and haven’t had much silverware to celebrate with.
At 32, Giteau hasn’t lost a beat, scoring four tries in his seven appearances for Toulon this year.
He’s more dynamic than Bernard Foley. He’s more reliable than Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale or James O’Connor.
After three seasons in France he’s accustomed to Northern Hemisphere rugby and knows how to grind out wins.
Exactly what you need to win a World Cup.
Argument against:
You could argue that Robbie Deans didn't do many things right during his four-year reign as Wallabies coach – but getting rid of Matt Giteau was one of the New Zealander's finer moments.
The 92-Test veteran was a major talent when he burst onto the Test scene in 2002, but his form fell away badly from 2009.
Whether it was a loss of speed or confidence, Giteau became far too predictable in attack, his defence was average at best and his unreliable goal kicking directly cost the Wallabies Test victories against Scotland in 2009 and England in 2010.
He was also a divisive member of the Wallabies squad, due mainly to his well-publicised fallout with Deans.
What should remain his last Test came in the infamous 33-22 loss to Samoa on July 17, 2011.
He was subsequently overlooked for the 2011 Rugby World Cup squad and joined French Top 14 glamour club Toulon.
The 32-year-old has looked like a superstar in France against opposition well below Super Rugby standard.
He's also done well in the European Cup (formerly the Heineken Cup), which is a similar standard to Super Rugby.
But it's not Test Rugby – the level Giteau proved he is no longer up to four years ago.
If Wallabies coach Michael Cheika opts to use the 'Giteau Rule' that now allows him to select overseas based players who have played over 60 Tests and seven seasons of Super Rugby – it can only end in disaster.
