Australia's Matt Giteau eager to embarrass England and win a chance to taunt Toulon pal Jonny Wilkinson after Rugby World Cup

• Matt Giteau and Jonny Wilkinson are mates from time together at Toulon
• The Wallabies relaxed rules for international-based players before RWC 
• Giteau thought he'd played his last games for Australia before the change 
• England legend Wilkinson has called Giteau a once in a generation player
• Rugby World Cup 2015: Click here for all the latest RWC news 

By Julian Bennetts For The Daily Mail

Published: 16:32 EST, 30 September 2015 | Updated: 18:45 EST, 30 September 2015

World Cups can destroy friendships, and it’s no different among rugby royalty.

‘Jonny won’t answer my calls this week, and I’ve been trying him a lot,’ laughs Australia centre Matt Giteau, talking about his former Toulon team-mate and close friend Jonny Wilkinson.

‘He won’t answer me this week, so maybe next week. Will I make him feel guilty if we go a long way in the tournament and England didn’t? Oh, I’d make him feel guilty. I’d make him feel very guilty.’

All of this is said with a grin that illustrates how much Giteau — whom Wilkinson last week labelled ‘a once-in-a-generation player’ — is enjoying his second coming in international rugby.

Matt Giteau is keen to gain bragging rights over his mate Jonny Wilkinson on Saturday against England

The centre and playmaker kicks deep against Fiji in Australia's opening World Cup match victory in Cardiff

Jonny Wilkinson (right) and Giteau were a formidable duo for Toulon with the Englishman describing the Aussie as a once in a generation player after he turned his back on international rugby for a move to France

Formerly Australia’s boy wonder, he gave it all up when moving to Toulon in 2011. Australia, like England, had a policy not to pick foreign-based players, so Giteau watched last November’s Test between the two countries in a Twickenham corporate box, making regular trips to the free bar.

Then, in April this year, the rules were relaxed so Wallabies with over 60 caps and at least seven years as a contracted ARU player would be considered, no matter where they were based. 

Dubbed ‘The Giteau Clause’, it meant the centre and his Toulon team-mate Drew Mitchell were parachuted straight back into the team.

‘Did I think I could come back and play for Australia? No, it never crossed my mind,’ said Giteau, 33. ‘Does it make it more special to get a second chance to play for Australia? Massively.

‘I suppose I’m more grateful than I was. When you’re playing consistently I think you take it for granted — it’s a shocking thing to take it for granted, playing for your country.

‘And little things, like getting your kit again, I felt like I was 19 when I first came back. I certainly take nothing for granted now.’

But does he have any sympathy for Toulon team-mate Steffon Armitage after Stuart Lancaster stuck to his selection policy?

The Wallabies star is making the most of his return to the international fold after Australia relaxed their rules

Australia's boy wonder back in 2003, Giteau was overlooked in favour of Elton Flatley for the final

Wilkinson kicks the famous field goal in Sydney that broke Aussie hearts as England won the 2003 World Cup

‘Steff’s made it pretty clear he wants to be in the England team,’ said Giteau. 'Everyone wants to play for their country — whether it’s rugby, cricket — and Stef’s no different.’

Giteau has faced England twice before at World Cups and lost both times — as a 21-year-old replacement in the 2003 final and as a starting centre in the quarter-final four years later.

‘In 2003 it all happened really fast,’ he added. ‘While I was devastated at losing, I thought, “I’ll get the opportunity at the next World Cup”, but it doesn’t happen that easy.

‘It’s such a tough competition, and that’s the one thing I’ve learned — you’ve got to cherish every game and play every game like it’s a World Cup final.’

And maybe follow it up with a phone-call to a former England fly-half.

Mitchell and Giteau celebrate winning the Rugby Championship after returning from the Top 14 in France

England's Steffon Armitage hasn't been so lucky with England sticking to their guns on international players

Comments (4)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

Enter your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Submit Comment Clear

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now