Matt Giteau backs scrapping of 'Giteau Law'
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Wallabies legend Matt Giteau has backed Rugby Australia’s call to scrap the rule dubbed 'Giteau Law' named after him.
News broke from Down Under on Sunday that Australia is set to bin the ruling which allows the Wallabies to pick players based abroad only if they have 60 Tests and seven seasons Super Rugby experience.
The man who the ruling is named after took to Twitter to cheekily suggest the eventual change to the eligibility laws shouldn’t mean his name is removed from RA’s rule books.
Agreed beefy.. Can we not create a new law though and keep the name 😂
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) August 15, 2021
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Giteau commented on the change in the ruling saying: “My point of view on it - for me, it was unreal that they brought in a rule which allowed myself and Drew [Mitchell] to be available for a World Cup and for me to get to 100 Tests. For that, I’m forever grateful,” Giteau said.
“But moving forward, I think the Wallabies need to do whatever they can to be as competitive as they can.
“If that means picking players from other competitions if they’re playing overseas and that’s going to make the national team better, it will ultimately make rugby union better and something that kids want to get involved in.”
The former Test playmaker added: “At the highest level, like the Wallabies, ultimately, it’s about winning. Pick your best team and be as strong as you can. I’m all for any choice the people higher up make if it’s going to benefit the Wallabies and Australian rugby.”
Giteau Law was introduced ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup so then-head coach Michael Cheika could pick Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell in his squad, hence the name.
Read the full interview with the Herald here.
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