Robbie Deans insisted it was "nonsense" he had any issue with Matt Giteau after denying the long-time Wallabies golden boy one last shot at claiming some meaningful rugby silverware.

Despite playing 92 Tests, most alongside some of the all-time greats of the game, and collecting a swag of major individual awards along the way, France-bound Giteau will end his Wallabies career without having won any of the team prizes that matter most after being formally overlooked for World Cup selection.

Barring a minor miracle, the two-times World Cup representative will head to Toulon without ever hoisting the Webb Ellis Trophy, drinking from the Bledisloe Cup or holding the Tri Nations crown aloft.

The Cook Cup and Mandela Challenge Plate for series wins over England and South Africa and a Super Rugby title with the Brumbies in 2004 will have to do for Giteau, who came closest to one of the trophies he most craved in Australia's extra-time World Cup final loss to England in 2003.

"There's tough calls every time - and there's a number of good players who obviously have been unlucky," Deans said of the classy midfielder's controversial omission.

It has been widely speculated that Deans and Giteau haven't seen eye to eye since the coach preferred Berrick Barnes as his vice-captain for the ill-fated 2009 grand slam tour of the UK.

But Deans on Thursday denied any friction between the two and said he would "absolutely absolutely" have no hesitation recalling Giteau should injury strike any of Australia's key playmakers in New Zealand.

"It's nonsense (that we don't get on)," Deans said.

"His attitude is exceptional. You don't get to play 92 Tests and have that sort of longevity in the game without having a good attitude."

Deans said Giteau "took it well" when called to the Wallabies team hotel in Sydney on Wednesday to learn of his World Cup snub.

"There's no easy way to deliver that sort of news," Deans said.

"We met down in Coogee. I wanted to be able to talk to him face to face. I didn't want to impart the message via a text or a phone call. He's earnt that respect."

Deans also insisted he had no problem with Giteau tweeting his non-selection before the official squad announcement and said the 2009 John Eales Medallist as Australia's player of the year remained on World Cup standby.

"It's a long road, there's a long way to go," he said.

"We've got a 17-13 split (of forwards and backs) so the likelihood of us needing someone beyond the existing group is high.

"The wheel turns."

Deans, though, refused to explain exactly why Giteau had been axed.

"I don't want to go into specific details. It's tough enough for him to swallow without picking over that as well," he said.

Nor would he reveal where the 28-year-old ranked in the pecking order should first-choice five-eighth Quade Cooper or back-up midfielder Berrick Barnes be ruled out of the tournament kicking off on September 9.

"It's just not worth discussing because there's so many permutations around your group," Deans said.

"We'll just have to wait and see what the circumstances are at the time."

Deans said Giteau and most of the other nine members of the Wallabies' train-on squad including fellow close-call omissions Lachie Turner, Matt Hodgson and Ben Daley would all get to play for the Australian Barbarians against Canada on the Gold Coast on Friday week.

In a statement released by his manager on Thursday night, a disappointed Giteau pledged to support the Wallabies in whatever capacity he could through the tournament.

"Obviously I am very disappointed not to be in the Australian Rugby World Cup squad. It is the pinnacle of World Rugby and I will miss it greatly," he said.

"Having said that, I wish our team the very best of luck and if there is anything I can do to help their cause in any way whatsoever, I am ready, willing and able.

"It has been the greatest privilege of my life to play for my country, a childhood dream and I hope I have given much enjoyment to many.

"I want to thank all my teammates, my coaches, the ARU, my wife Bianca and my family for their support over the years."

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