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Giteau: No Fear

Friday 18th July 2008

Wet, but not soft: Matt Giteau

Wallabies play-maker Matt Giteau has been singled out as a dangerman by South Africa ahead of their Tri-Nations Test at Subiaco Oval on Saturday, but the fly-half is not fazed by the prospect of 'special treatment' nor the likelihood of inclement weather conditions.

Springbok fly-half Butch James, not known for treating his opposite numbers with kid gloves, has said that Giteau will be the man to watch and he, and his loose-forward trio, will no doubt be out to stop the gold-clad maestro in his tracks.

Giteau is up for the challenge.

"I have no fears, it's a Test match so it's going be physical whether you are targeted or not. It comes with the territory at fly-half as they are the players that you try to get to the most because they control a lot of what the team wants to do," Giteau told Sportal on Friday.

The Wallabies held their captain's run on Friday morning in torrential rain and heavy winds and the Springboks had the same in the afternoon. Forecasts have predicted the rain to let up but slippery and cold conditions seem on the cards.

"We've known for a while that it could be wet and we've prepared for it," said Giteau.

"You prefer to play in better conditions, but we have prepared for this and it's now about how we adapt to it. It didn't affect my kicking; it might affect Stirling's a little bit, though."

Despite the strong South Africa ex-pat contingent expected to be in the stands, Giteau is looking forward to playing on his 'home' ground.

"It is starting to feel a lot more like home. Also spending time at home is good as I haven't been back to Perth in a while. It's good to play at Subiaco Oval and I'm looking forward to it," he said.

"South Africa will still get a lot of support and there are still a lot of them living here, but as long as there's a big crowd you don't worry about who they are cheering for as long as it's a great atmosphere."