Australian Rugby
Giteau hands over kicking duties
ESPNscrum Staff
November 2, 2010
Wallabies Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau and James O'Connor run through their kicking drills during the Captain's Run, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, June 25, 2010
Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau and James O'Connor practice their goal-kicking during a Wallaby training session © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Matt Giteau | James O'Connor
Tournaments/Tours: Australia tour
Teams: Australia | Wales

Matt Giteau has stepped down as Australia's goal-kicker, explaining that he felt compelled to do so for the sake of the team.

The decision comes just days after the versatile back managed to land just one shot from four attempts in the Wallabies' Bledisloe Cup victory over New Zealand, a game which they won thanks to a stunning last-gasp conversion from wing James O'Connor.

"It was 100 percent my decision," Giteau is quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. ''I just thought that while I was trialling a new goal-kicking technique, it wasn't best to trial it in Test matches. I didn't want to jeopardise the team."

The kicking duties have now, unsurprisingly, been passed on to O'Connor. However, Giteau added that he might seek to reclaim the role when he perfects his new kicking technique.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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