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SYDNEY - The biggest quandary for Wallabies selectors between now and the rugby World Cup is not deciding on a suitable front row or determining the best combination of backrowers.
It's agreeing on a position that will best utilise Australia's highest-paid player.
Maximising the rich talents of Matt Giteau without diminishing the team's powers elsewhere is the challenge for John Connolly, Scott Johnson and Michael O'Connor.
As they readily acknowledge.
Giteau proved such a hit at halfback on the European tour that, by the end of the four-Test expedition, selectors were still persisting with trying to find an appropriate replacement for him at inside centre - even though the game was already up.
Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock and Scott Staniforth were all tried in the No.12 jumper with varying levels of success and Larkham and Staniforth, as well as Mat Rogers, remain options for the Wallabies going forward.
But with Larkham reminding everyone how valuable he is at five-eighth during his man-of-the-match display against Scotland on Saturday, and Connolly only lukewarm on Staniforth as a permanent candidate for the vital midfield role, it appears Giteau will end up back in his old position next year.
Or will he?
"We've got to balance out the skill for Matt at nine with the demands of other positions as well," backs coach Johnson said.
"He's such a talented kid, he fits in a lot of positions and we've got to make sure that we've got it balanced, and that's part of the dilemma."
Giteau at inside centre would not please critics of George Gregan, who, after being ahead of Sam Cordingley in the pecking order before both players missed the spring tour, would be odds-on favourite to regain the halfback role.
Playing Giteau at 12, though, would seem sensible for two reasons.
Firstly, it would allow the Wallabies to have their two desired ball-players in the backline without having to move Larkham from five-eighth.
Secondly, it would enable Connolly to retain a more appealing 5-2 split of forwards and backs on the bench.
Having two world-class halfbacks in the run-on team frees up a replacement spot and Connolly is excited about the "extra dimension" Giteau's versatility brings to Australia's forward play.
Given the Wallabies' scrum troubles against the leading packs of international rugby, the luxury of having an extra forward in the 22-man Test squad cannot be underestimated.
It all seems so straightforward - play Giteau at inside centre.
Straightforward, that is, until the northern hemisphere conditions are factored in.
Although Connolly is hoping for balmy weather in France next September-October, the Wallabies are preparing to encounter, at least at some point during the World Cup, wet and windy conditions which will require a more direct, strong-running inside centre - like a Staniforth.
It worked a treat last Saturday, with the forwards, Giteau at half and Staniforth and Mortlock in the centres all combining to make Larkham - and the Wallabies - look brilliant.
As Connolly put it: "Giteau threatened that transition zone which made Stephen's job a lot easier and I thought the two guys outside him ran straight and very hard".
Staniforth's performance had Larkham and Mortlock singing his praises.
"Scotty gave us another dimension out there," Larkham said.
So that's the balance selectors are looking for. It all seems so straightforward - play Staniforth at inside centre and Giteau at halfback. A nice compromise.
Straightforward, that is, until Connolly starts expressing his concerns about Staniforth's defensive lapses.
And, let's face it, if Staniforth misses tackles against Scotland, how would he go against Ireland's powerful pairing of Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll?
Staniforth, a converted winger, doesn't exactly share Giteau's skills and vision either. There goes the two ball-players in the backline theory.
"We've just got to balance our needs of who we're playing and the conditions," Johnson said.
"We've got to be an all-round side. We can't be just a fairweather footy team. We're going to come up against everything."
The truth is, selectors are a long way from determining where best to play Giteau.
"Where Matt ends up next year, we're not sure ... with George available. Sam Cordingley, Josh Valentine," Connolly said when asked by a Scottish journalist if the 24-year-old dynamo would stay at nine.
"We think he's done a phenomenal job. Whether he stays at nine is debatable.
"But he is a very special footballer in our eyes."
So special Connolly is planning to fly to Perth next week to "have a chat" with Western Force coach John Mitchell.
Don't believe Connolly won't be wanting to know exactly where Mitchell intends using his prized recruit during the 2007 Super 14 season.
His date with Mitchell shapes as one of the most important "selection meetings" Connolly attends between now and the World Cup.
- AAP
