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PERTH - Western Force first five-eighth Matt Giteau insists he has no problem with coach John Mitchell and says he is happy in Perth and will consider re-signing with the Super 14 club beyond 2009.
Giteau reportedly threatened to walk out on the Force last year to join
his former club the Brumbies when his lucrative third party sponsorship deal with Firepower collapsed.
There were also reports that Giteau was amongst a raft of players unhappy with Mitchell's behaviour.
But the 26-year-old rejected claims that he was involved in the player revolt that led to the independent inquiry into Mitchell, saying he was away on Wallabies duties when the inquiry was launched.
"That can be put to bed, I wasn't even here," Giteau said on Monday.
"I've found him good.
"With all coaches you are always going to have your run-ins or disagreements.
"I've felt there might have been times where we've disagreed but we've both moved on and done what's best for the team.
"All the boys seem to be happy ... so, no, I can't really see anybody here who's unhappy with Mitch."
Giteau also scoffed at suggestions he was desperate to leave the Force, only to be told he had no choice but to see out the rest of his contract.
"See a lot of the stuff that was said (in the media) wasn't actually said by me," Giteau said.
"So I tried to stay away from that and focus on football, and when I had my break that was when I was going to decide what to do.
"I looked at certain things but in the end I've enjoyed my time here and I wanted to honour the last year of my contract."
But he did admit he was tempted by a deal worth almost $10 million to move to French side Bayonne.
"Yeah, it was (tempting) but, again, nothing I really thought of seriously," Giteau said.
"It was just an offer that was put to me and I quickly decided that I want to stay in Australia.
"I want to play my best football in what I believe is the best competition and that's Super 14 and playing for Australia.
"It (playing overseas) is something I do want to do at some stage but when I do it I'm not too sure."
Giteau said he was happy in Perth, where he has bought a house and is dating Bianca Franklin, who plays netball for the West Coast Fever and is the sister of Hawthorn AFL star Lance Franklin.
"Home's here," Giteau said.
"I've got a place here, I love Perth (and the) surfing ... it's got everything I like doing."
Giteau said he would weigh up a number of things, including who is coach of the club and what players have re-signed, before deciding whether to extend his stay with the Force beyond '09.
- AAP
