Wallabies coach Robbie Deans chats to Matt Giteau during a training sessioni Christchurch last year © Getty Images
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The Sydney Morning Herald's Greg Growden believes Matt Giteau's omission from the Wallabes' World Cup squad was predictable.
"Ultimately, it came down to the Wallabies management - and not just coach Robbie Deans - having concerns that apart from opposing teams having ''worked Giteau out'', the Test midfielder had fallen short of the mark on several occasions when on-field pressure was applied.
"The first real clue Deans and Giteau were not bosom buddies came in 2009, when the coach overlooked him for the vice-captaincy. Although the pair insisted they got on well, the reality was different.
"Deans had his problems relating to Giteau, while the player believed that, considering his seniority in the Wallabies squad, that he deserved more responsibility within the group. That he was not considered for major leadership roles hurt him."
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