Record deal for Giteau

ACT Brumbies centre Matt Giteau has agreed to move to the Western Force in a multi-million dollar deal that will make him the highest-paid player in Australian history.

The 23-year-old Australia international will join the Perth-based franchise in 2007 on a three-year deal.

The signing is a major coup for the Force as Giteau is regarded as one of the world’s best playmakers and all four of Australia’s Super 14 franchises had made lucrative offers.

The Force may be struggling in their inaugural season but Giteau believes everything is in place for the new franchise to establish themselves in the competition.

“They have never been far off the pace and I want to be there when their luck changes and it all starts to take shape because it will be a very exciting time in the club’s history,” he said.

“When I was in Perth for the Brumbies game in February, I was surprised by the strong rugby following there,” added Giteau, who has played 31 Tests for the Wallabies.

“I’ve also spoken to Matt (Henjak) a fair bit and he tells me the lifestyle, the beaches, the weather, not to mention the rugby programme and training facilities are pretty special.”

John Mitchell, head coach of the Force, is confident Giteau will be a successful signing and insists there are more reinforcements to come.

“Matt can create something from nothing and will always ask the hard questions of his opposition,” he said.

“He has great awareness of what’s in front of him and is just the type of person we want to bring into our player mix.

“We will not give up on our vision of building a player mix which will see us contest the finals.”

Giteau is currently out injured with a niggling knee problem he sustained at the Commonwealth Games.