Matt Giteau’s return to Wallaby Gold has transpired into a fairy-tale so far, both for Australia and Gits himself. Despite never imagining it would happen, come this weekend Gits will play his 100th Test match for his home country, one of the highest and most notable milestones within any rugby player’s career.
After leaving Australia just four Test matches shy of his century international milestone, Gits has spent the last four seasons making international headlines thanks to his impressive escapades with French Top 14 powerhouse Toulon. Such was his success with the Club, it reinvigorated the call for a revised stance to Australian rugby’s eligibility laws.
Dubbed “Giteau’s law”, a new policy introduced in April this year saw Gits’ imminent homecoming to reignite his international rugby. Returning to the Australian fold, the utility back has developed into a distinguished role model within the game, well-respected the world over by everyone from the smallest rugby fan to the top talent.
With 684 points accrued over his Test career from 2002 to 2011, Gits has continued as an inspirational player and leader upon his return in 2015, much to the delight of his teammates, Michael Cheika and Australian Rugby fans alike.
The son of one of Rugby League’s most prolific point scoring Centres Ron Giteau, Matt was born in Sydney before later relocating to the Nation’s Capital. It was there he attended St. Edmunds College, a renowned Rugby nursery that has an impressive honour that includes Rugby Union legend George Gregan and Canberra Raiders great Ricky Stuart.
Quickly proving that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree of sporting prowess, Matt was a natural at both Rugby codes. In fact, it was only in his final year of school that he decided to focus on Rugby Union alone, after being selected in the St Edmunds 1st XV team.
Despite not making the Australian Schoolboys team that year, Matt continued to develop his game in the Canberra club competition where he donned the red and white of the Canberra Vikings. Following the successful defence of their title in 2002, Matt was selected in the Wallabies’ end of season tour as the third choice Halfback.
Not expected to get a lot, if any, game time, Matt went on to make his International debut against England in the final game of the tour. Taking the pitch in front of a packed Twickenham Stadium was the culmination of a roller coaster year for Giteau, an incredible feat considering he didn’t even have a Super Rugby contract at the start of the season.
Signing for the Brumbies in 2002, following their inaugural Super Rugby title the previous year, Giteau quickly established himself as a favourite amongst the fans. Fast developing as one of the Wallabies’ best Centre’s, Gits played a pivotal role in helping the Brumbies win the 2004 Super Rugby title. So impressive was his season, it earned him a nomination for the prestigious IRB Player of the Year Award.
A stint with the Western Force from 2007 to 2009 saw Matt add another 37 Super Rugby caps and 296 points to his name. The ACT’s favourite son would return home to the Brumbies for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, the latter would be his last in Super Rugby before heading across to continue his dream rugby career in France with Toulon.
Not the only sportsperson in the Giteau family, Matt’s sister Kristy is a dual-code Rugby International in her own right. In December of 2010 Matt married his long-time girlfriend Bianca Franklin, a netball player with the Adelaide Thunderbolts and the sister of AFL superstar Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin.
Those who follow Gits on social media will know he is also a doting father to two adorable sons.
