Matt Giteau's chances of playing in a third Rugby World Cup have suffered a major blow after the veteran playmaker was left out of Australia's squad for Saturday's Tri Nations opener against South Africa.
The 92-Test veteran is the major casualty from Sunday's embarrassing 32-23 loss to Samoa after coach Robbie Deans wielded the axe at today's team announcement.
While most of the seven changes to the starting line-up were expected given that Deans rested several of his Queensland stars last week, Giteau's omission from the 22-man squad is a surprise.
Brumbies utility Pat McCabe has been retained at inside-centre and is joined by star halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper, while full-back Kurtley Beale and wing James O'Connor also return to bolster the backline.
There are three changes to the forward pack, with Reds locks James Horwill and Rob Simmons forcing Nathan Sharpe to the bench, while openside flanker David Pocock returns from a foot injury.
Quizzed on his decision to axe Giteau, Deans, who has opted for a five-two split of forwards and backs on the bench, said the ability of both Beale and O'Connor to cover the playmaking role meant the veteran's services were not required.
‘We've got good versatility in our backline. We believe we've got what we need there so we've opted to carry a little bit more up front,’ Deans said.
‘We've obviously gone for a combination that we think will be good for us and we believe we have the capability within the existing group to cover all of those potential permutations around 10 and 12.’
Asked if Giteau still has a role to play in the side for the remainder of the Tri Nations campaign and looking ahead to the World Cup in September-October, a coy Deans replied: ‘Well Gits is part of the (Tri Nations) squad so he has a big part to play. We prepare as one and next week's another week.
‘You can look at anyone and make assumptions but like I've said many times, we're presuming nothing going forward.
‘Matt will obviously want a role going forward, he has a role going forward, we just don't know what that will entail just yet in terms of playing.’
Meanwhile, the coach confirmed prop Benn Robinson has opted against having the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee repaired in a desperate bid to return in time for the World Cup.
‘Robbo isn't going to proceed with his operation, his knee is remarkably stable for an ACL injury...so he's opted to give it a go and attempt to play without an ACL,’ Deans said.
‘A typical ACL injury involves medial ligament damage as well, his didn't and he's got good stability.
‘There's a little bit of laxity as a result of the fact he doesn't have an ACL ligament, but it's not significant, it's even consistent with some (people) post-operation.
‘To put it in perspective, it is a low percentage success rate if we base it on history, so I wouldn't be jumping through hoops just yet, but he's opted to give it a go.
‘I understand there's one player who's played a Test match without an ACL, but he played in the midfield and it wasn't a great experience.
‘But the midfield's distinct from up front, I mean Robbo might just have to park his sidestep for a while.’
Australia starting XV to face South Africa, Sydney, Saturday, 10am (Irish time):
Kurtley Beale; James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, James Horwill, Rocky Elsom, David Pocock, Ben McCalman.
Reserves: Saia Fainga'a, Pek Cowan, Nathan Sharpe, Matt Hodgson, Scott Higginbotham, Nick Phipps, Anthony Fainga'a.
