Chris Rattue: Whitaker has bided time long enough

COMMENT

Don't be surprised if Chris Whitaker runs out to face the All Blacks in Wellington a little quicker than his team-mates.

And - presuming that he is named in the Wallaby side today - he'd be quite entitled to put on an extra spurt of speed as he passes the reserves bench on Saturday night.

The Waratah halfback would also be within his rights to fend off any Australian team official who heads his way during the warm-ups, fearing the bloke is about to whisper "Sorry Chris, George has just passed a fitness test".

Whitaker's test career is full of firsts in coming last, thanks to the presence of a certain George Gregan. Even the age of the rugby replacement has passed Whitaker by.

His place on the reserves bench in the history books is usually accompanied by "unused" - C. J. Whitaker appears at the end of endless Wallaby team sheets like a full stop.

There is one particularly quirky bright spot in this test career full of dead ends.

Whitaker's record as a test rugby captain is unrivalled after he led the Wallabies to a 142-0 victory over Namibia in last year's World Cup. This is probably of little comfort to him however.

In the only other times he was allowed to run out with the starting team, he took on the might of Tonga and the United States.

And in 19 appearances, Whitaker has opposed 15 different test teams, and never against the same one more than twice.

Luminaries such as World Cup winning coach Bob Dwyer have periodically called for Whitaker to replace Gregan, usually on the strength of his quicker passing.

Then again, who would you pick if you were in charge of the Wallabies? Gregan is a bit more than handy.

Gregan, who doesn't seem much bothered by anything, once retorted: "People like Dwyer are paid to give an opinion, so the more controversial he is the bigger the debate."

And there hasn't been a debate for Australian coaches where Gregan is concerned.

While Whitaker made his debut in 1998, there are kids who take out the kicking tees who have seen more test action than he has.

Whitaker has been selected in 67 test sides but been left high and dry on the bench in 48 of those.

His ratio of warm-ups to test minutes must be the highest in history.

Gregan's dominance of the halfback spot is so complete that Whitaker will play just his second test against New Zealand on Saturday night.

Five years ago in Sydney, he got to trot out in the 78th minute, after Australia had already trounced the All Blacks.

Whitaker might not be in prime condition for Saturday's test, having just returned to action from a knee injury. It shouldn't matter.

After years of frustrations, he will be fizzing.

* Further to last Saturday's story on the first Polynesians to play for New Zealand, Richard Keyworth of Panmure complains about my "dismissive" attitude towards the 1928 All Black Walter Batty.

Keyworth writes: "Walter Batty, who was my uncle, was definitely Polynesian. His father was English, but his mother Luisa Tupou was related to the royal family.

"We can trace our Tongan roots right back to the first king of Tonga. Walter Batty was, certainly, the first Tongan All Black.

"Two other brothers played representative rugby, one played representative cricket and one sister played representative cricket.

"They most certainly paved the way for Polynesian sport in this country.

"Incidentally, another member of our extended family also became an All Black, namely Jonah Lomu."