Your Man of the Match against Italy

Your Man of the Match against Italy : Matt Giteau

Although he only came off the bench, flyhalf Matt Giteau was your resounding pick as the Qantas Wallabies Man of the Match against Italy in Padova.

Coming on very early for the injured Berrick Barnes, 26-year-old Giteau had a superb all round game, launching the Men of Gold’s backline, making some incisive breaks himself and kicking clinically either out of hand or for the posts.

Indeed it was Giteau’s calmness under pressure that contributed greatly to the Wallabies getting home when Italy threatened to snatch a momentous upset victory coming in to the last ten minutes.

‘Gits’, who received 53.6% of our 3720 votes received, also gave the final pass to your runner-up for Man of the Match, 20-year-old Reds flyhalf, Quade Cooper, who also started Saturday’s Test on the bench.

He only played 19 minutes of the Test but it was his superb solo try, where he cut in to the Wallabies backline and left three Azzurri defenders clutching at thin air on a thirty metre run to the line, with nine minutes left that cemented the Wallabies victory.

It was a dream debut for the humble young Queenslander, who received an impressive 29.7% of the votes, and all bodes well for his Test career ahead.

In third place came the tireless Wallabies openside flanker Phil Waugh (8.1%), who as always gave 200% for his team and country.

Behind him was Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore (6.6%), who again put in a solid all-round game including contributing heavily to an impressive Wallabies effort at scrum time.

Rounding out our top five was dynamic young Reds winger Digby Ioane (2.0%) who was a handful for the Italian defence every time he got the ball and make some damaging runs.

“Diggers” obviously caught the eye of coach Robbie Deans as well – as he’s won a place on the bench for this Saturday’s big clash against England.

Our new poll is now up and running – What will the score be this Saturday ?

Can the Men of Gold avenge the heartbreaking loss to England in last year’s Rugby World Cup Quarter Final or will the “All Whites” be too good again ?

We want to know what you think so vote now on your home of all things Wallabies – www.rugby.com.au