Giteau 'not allowed' to fly coop
Posted
Matt Giteau is contracted to the ARU until after the next World Cup (file photo). (AFP: Torsten Blackwood)
Australian Rugby Union chief executive officer John O'Neill says Matt Giteau is contracted to play in Australia until after the next World Cup.
Bayonne has reportedly offering the star Wallabies fly half a contract in excess of $8 million to play in France.
Giteau's deal with the Western Force runs out after next year's Super 14 season.
But O'Neill says Giteau's contract with the ARU stipulates that he must remain in Australia.
"He has to play for the Western Force next year which is only up to the middle of the year, May, June," he said.
"And then he's a free agent, he can go and play for the Brumbies or the Waratahs or the Reds. A contract is a contract.
"We understand that the French are throwing a lot of money around.
"[I'm] not sure how sustainable that is mind you, but his circumstances are pretty cut and dried."
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