England v Australia
Giteau out to nullify Cipriani threat
PA Sport
November 13, 2008

Australia fly-half Matt Giteau believes the key to stopping England at Twickenham on Saturday will be to nullify the threat of counterpart Danny Cipriani.

The 21-year-old Wasps number 10 is one of a number of exciting new players in coach Martin Johnson's redesigned back-line, but Giteau has highlighted him as a particular threat and is relishing playing against him.

"He's obviously got a very good kicking game, he directs play very well and he's an elusive runner who can pass the ball very well on both sides," said Giteau, who made his debut for the Wallabies aged 20 at Twickenham in 2002.

"A lot of their attack rolls around their nine and 10, like most sides. So I think he's very pivotal on how the side plays and I'm looking forward to playing him."

Cipriani has made only two starts for England in his fledgling professional career, compared to Giteau's 62 caps and two World Cup campaigns, but the latter is focusing on how to stop the burgeoning talent.

Asked whether he has a particular plan to stop Cipriani, Giteau joked, "I do, but I won't be telling anyone. Maybe after the game I'll say whether my plan worked or not.

"They've got a new backline and they look like they love to attack so that's something we need to be wary of."

Lock Nathan Sharpe also pinpointed Cipriani as a potential danger man. "The guy's immensely talented and controls that team very well and is important to them," Sharpe said. "I'm not sure we've paid any one guy more attention than another but we've got areas we are keen to do well in."

Australia have lost four of their last five matches at Twickenham and England have been their bogey team at the last two World Cups, and there is a real hunger in the squad to turn the tables, according to Giteau.

"You don't get a bigger occasion than playing England at Twickenham," he said. "Eveyone's looking forward to it. At training the intensity's very high. Even in defensive drills where you're not supposed to be hitting hard, guys are still hitting hard so the intensity's right up there."

"I've got some mixed memories of Twickenham. The first game was a great occasion to win the first cap but I was a little disappointed with the way I played.

"But the second time I played better and we won the game. Hopefully this time will be another good memory."

Sharpe also believes it is a great opportunity to shed their reputation as perennial strugglers against England. "You know you've got to be on top of your game to beat England at Twickenham and it'll be a fantastic achievement to do that this week," he said. "The last time was 2004 I think so it's been a long time coming. The guys shoved a gorilla off their backs by winning in South Africa and hopefully we can do the same over here."

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