Oracle of Delphi
Craig HillMatt Giteau Undecided Beyond 2009
January 9th 2009 00:23
Star Australian flyhalf Matt Giteau has confirmed he will see out his contract with the Western Force but admits he has no idea what his Super 14 future holds thereafter.
Rumours were rife that Giteau would return to the Brumbies in 2009 or move to French side Bayonne on a deal worth almost $10 million once his six figure deal with third-party sponsor Firepower collapsed.
But Giteau said he would now honour the final year of his contract with the Force and would wait until the end of the '09 season before making a decision on his next contract.
"I can say now that I'm committed to the Force for next year and I won't be making a decision on my future until next season is over," Giteau wrote in The Sunday Times.
"I never tried to get out of my contract legally because things get ugly when you start doing that and I didn't want to go there."
A third-party compensation package reportedly worth $1.6 million was put to Giteau once his Firepower deal collapsed but only on the condition he extended his stay with the Force until the end of 2011.
However, Giteau rejected the offer and said he was yet to decide whether to remain in Perth beyond '09.
"All I can say about why I didn't accept the new third party offer is that both parties wanted different things," Giteau wrote.
"There was nothing personal about it, I just wanted to see this year out first."It wasn't all about money.
"Everyone knows you have a short life span in sport and have to make the most of your opportunities, but my decision wasn't just about the money.
"I have been happy and I've enjoyed the two years at the Force and making a decision in the future will be difficult because I know I can still enjoy it in Perth.
"But as I said, before I decide anything I want to honour my contract."
The Force resume pre-season training on Monday but the future of head coach John Mitchell is still up in the air.
Mitchell, who is contracted until the end of 2011, has been placed on restricted duties following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards employees.
The Force have set up an independent inquiry, led by retired West Australian Supreme Court Judge Robert Anderson QC, to investigate the allegations, with the findings expected by about mid-January.
AAP
05 Jan 2009
Rumours were rife that Giteau would return to the Brumbies in 2009 or move to French side Bayonne on a deal worth almost $10 million once his six figure deal with third-party sponsor Firepower collapsed.
But Giteau said he would now honour the final year of his contract with the Force and would wait until the end of the '09 season before making a decision on his next contract.
"I can say now that I'm committed to the Force for next year and I won't be making a decision on my future until next season is over," Giteau wrote in The Sunday Times.
"I never tried to get out of my contract legally because things get ugly when you start doing that and I didn't want to go there."
A third-party compensation package reportedly worth $1.6 million was put to Giteau once his Firepower deal collapsed but only on the condition he extended his stay with the Force until the end of 2011.
However, Giteau rejected the offer and said he was yet to decide whether to remain in Perth beyond '09.
"All I can say about why I didn't accept the new third party offer is that both parties wanted different things," Giteau wrote.
"There was nothing personal about it, I just wanted to see this year out first."It wasn't all about money.
"Everyone knows you have a short life span in sport and have to make the most of your opportunities, but my decision wasn't just about the money.
"I have been happy and I've enjoyed the two years at the Force and making a decision in the future will be difficult because I know I can still enjoy it in Perth.
"But as I said, before I decide anything I want to honour my contract."
The Force resume pre-season training on Monday but the future of head coach John Mitchell is still up in the air.
Mitchell, who is contracted until the end of 2011, has been placed on restricted duties following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards employees.
The Force have set up an independent inquiry, led by retired West Australian Supreme Court Judge Robert Anderson QC, to investigate the allegations, with the findings expected by about mid-January.
AAP
05 Jan 2009
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