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Giteau hands O’Connor kicking duties

Giteau hands O’Connor kicking duties

Matt Giteau has relinquished his Australia goal-kicking duties ahead of the Wallabies’ clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

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The decision comes after Giteau missed three shots at goal in the Wallabies shock victory over the All Blacks.

James O’Connor was the star in the triumph, converting his own injury-time try to clinch the historic victory and, unsurprisingly, he has now been given the kicking duties.

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“It’s 100 percent my decision. I just thought that while I was trialing a new goal-kicking technique, it wasn’t best to trial it in Test matches,” said Giteau.

“I’m hitting the ball quite well but it’s still inconsistent at the moment. I don’t want to compromise the team. Only when I feel i’m hitting it well will I be happy.

“It’s not something that affects my form but perhaps people judge my form on how i’m kicking. It doesn’t make much of a difference to me.

“James showed on the weekend that he can handle big pressure situations. He has been kicking really well and consistently.

“The coaches are comfortable with him, it’s an easy transition. He’s been going well and the weekend was a big step forward for him and the team as a whole. Everyone is starting to play some good football.”

Despite his heroics O’Connor is keeping his feet on the ground and is fully focused on the encounter with Wales.

“I try to block the atmosphere out and focus on my kicking process,” said 20-year-old O’Connor.

“I have put an emphasis on my kicking and have worked hard on it. I’ve been kicking with Western Force and I can make long-range kicks. But Kurtley Beale has a big 60-metre kick on him.

“I was pretty happy after Saturday but have moved forward. We have another task in hand this week and then another four. For me it’s about taking it one kick at a time and not focusing on the outcome but the process of it.”

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