Rocky rallies behind ‘resilient’ Giteau

WALLABIES skipper Rocky Elsom has hailed the resilient quality of fly-half star Matt Giteau as he aims to bounce back from his Murrayfield torment.

Giteau will return to the Test match arena tomorrow when Australia conclude their frustrating European tour against Millennium Stadium hosts Wales.

His missed conversion in injury-time in Edinburgh meant the Wallabies suffered their first defeat against Scotland for 27 years last weekend, but Elsom has no concerns about Giteau’s ability to recover.

“He is pretty resilient – I think upstairs he is pretty strong, and he has been fine this week,” said the captain.

“Obviously, he was disappointed, but he didn’t let that show too much during the week. You don’t want to drag the rest of the team down moping around, and he hasn’t been like that at all.”

Australia are looking for a victorious finale to what has been a difficult year.

They have won just two of their last 10 Tests, a run that has prompted vociferous criticism down under. And their recent record against Wales in Cardiff hardly gives cause for optimism, with just one victory from the last four fixtures.

Meanwhile, Gethin Jenkins has been backed to lead from the front when he skippers Wales in tomorrow’s Millennium Stadium clash. Jenkins, a star of this year’s Lions tour to South Africa, will replace Ryan Jones as captain for Wales’ autumn Test series finale. Jones has succumbed to a back problem suffered during a weights session earlier this week.

It means Andy Powell moving across the back row from blindside to Jones’ position of number eight, with 21-year-old Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate handed only a second Wales start.

“We are developing a team of leaders,” said Wales backs coach Rob Howley.

“We are lucky there are a number of captains within the side. Gethin is certainly a player who, over the last six months, has had some great experiences.

“He doesn’t say too much, but what he does say, people stand up and listen to. He’s captained Wales before, and he has captained the Blues. I think he will be a great leader – he certainly leads by his actions.”