Former Test star Matt Giteau says ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham can do "huge things" as the Wallabies' World Cup linchpin, backing him to unlock Australia's attacking flair.
Giteau is in Canberra for the next month while he recovers from groin surgery and aims to return to France at the end of March to join Toulon's bid for Top 14 and Heineken Cup success.
The 92-Test veteran also believes young Australian players still value the Wallabies jersey as the No. 1 prize, rejecting fears of a mass exodus to Europe or Japan at the end of the year.
Larkham's World Cup job
Larkham will juggle two coaching positions this year after officially accepting a role as the Wallabies' attack specialist, while keeping his position as the Brumbies' Super Rugby mentor.
"[Larkham] was injured before a Test against England in 2004, but he got Elton Flatley and myself a game plan and it worked so well," Giteau said.
"It was perfect, it was genius the ideas that he came up with and it was so simple to execute. I always thought he would end up as a coach, he's so smart."
Larkham's job is ushering in a new generation of attacking genius, working with the likes of Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor to end the Wallabies' international woes.
"He will do huge things for the Wallabies. It's perfect for [Larkham], having him in that Wallabies coaching team is a massive thing for Australian rugby," Giteau said.
The French revolution
Giteau moved his career to France at the end of the 2011 Super Rugby season and signed a two-year contract extension last year worth $A1.5 million a season.
There are fears Australia's best talent will be lured to France or Japan by cashed-up clubs after the World Cup, with Adam Ashley-Cooper, James Horwill, Nic White, Scott Higginbotham and Sekope Kepu already signing deals.
The ARU has a policy to select only Australian-based players to play for the Wallabies, but Giteau believes that may change.
"I'd want to play for the Wallabies before I went to [France or Japan]. When I signed to come over to Toulon I was at the end of my career with the Wallabies. I was after something to re-ignite the passion," Giteau said.
"So many young players still want to play for Australia and test themselves in Super Rugby. Overseas options will always be there but the chance to play for your country ... once you step away you realise how rare and special it is.
"I'd like to think it's not going to be a mass exodus of young guys."
Injury rehabilitation
Giteau will use Canberra as a base for the next month to recover from groin surgery, working with former Brumbies physiotherapist Tim McGrath and invited to use the Super Rugby club's gym.
He hopes to be fit for Toulon's push for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals after being troubled by the groin problem for the past two months.
"It was my decision to come back, I just want to make sure I'm good to go. There were complications with the injury in France.
"Being back in Canberra I know I'm working with guys who have a history with getting groin injuries right. I'm doing everything and getting the right treatment, I'm not back for a holiday."
Is the end to Giteau's career in sight
Giteau says his new two-year deal with Toulon is likely to be the last contract of his career, and he will call time on his playing days if he doesn't feel he can compete at the top level.
The 32-year-old has played 92 Tests, 104 Super Rugby games and 95 matches for Toulon in 15 years in professional rugby.
"I want to be at a level where I'm proud when I finish my rugby career," Giteau said.
"I want to be able to compete, I don't want to be someone who just wrings the rag to hang on and hang on. For me, if I feel my time is up, even if this contract is still going, then I will move on to the next stage.
"But I'd say the contract I've signed will be my last one."
