By Wayne Smith
August 19, 2009 A Wallabies victory against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday could mean the end of Australia captain Stirling Mortlock’s test career, but he insists that is the least of his concerns.
Mortlock will miss the Test and the remainder of the Tri Nations series as he takes six weeks to recover from the knee surgery that followed his meniscus tear in the Cape Town Test.
It’s never a good thing for any player, even the captain, to give a young understudy that length of time to consolidate his position, but it’s doubly hazardous for a 32-year-old veteran of 80 Tests.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has shown immense faith in his senior players – as demonstrated by the “steady as she goes” Bledisloe Cup team announcement – but soon he will face the difficult call on whether Mortlock, at 34, will still be good enough to lead the Wallabies into the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
If the team performs well in the captain’s absence over the remaining four Tri Nations matches, the decision might be made for him.
If the Wallabies move on, reverting to an aging captain for the tour of Europe in November might seem a retrograde step.
Mortlock is well aware of that but, like the rest of Australia, he waits with baited breath for the Wallabies to deliver on their undoubted promise.
“It’s frustrating to be on the sidelines when, as a group, we’ve reached the tipping point,” Mortlock said.
“I hope it does happen this weekend, that we put the whole picture, attack and defence, together for the entire duration of the game. We’ve done so much quality work to not get that gain.
“So be it, the consequences for me. We can deal with them in due course.”
Mortlock’s aim is to resume his duties on the tour – “most definitely” – but to date he has wasted no energy on assessing his own capacity to keep performing at the highest level for another two years.
“That decision is not too far off,” he said. “Right now, I love doing what I’m doing, love being part of this group.
“While it’s always disappointing when you get injured, there’s nothing you can do but get yourself rehabilitated as quickly as possible.”
The rampaging outside centre has full confidence that the two backline changes made to accommodate his injury, with Adam Ashley-Cooper moving from fullback to outside centre and teenager James O’Connor coming in at fullback, will be resounding successes.
“I was really impressed with the way Jimmy (O’Connor) performed in Cape Town,” Mortlock said.
“He’s certainly proven over this season and even at the end of last year, that he’s got a lot of talent.
“But what he showed against the Springboks was a bit more determination to put his body on the line.
“And I know Adam will go well. Crossy (reserve centre Ryan Cross) has done extremely well every time he’s played 13 but Adam played really well there in the Cape Town Test and he’s got the nod. I’ve got full confidence in all of them.”
Mortlock said that he could understand the growing frustration of Australian rugby fans at the Wallabies’ erratic and undisciplined start to the Tri Nations.
“The frustration comes because everyone can see the positive play – in patches. That’s the disappointing aspect from our perspective, that we haven’t built pressure in a game for the full 80 minutes.”
But Mortlock insisted it was unfair that Deans was being saddled with so much of the blame.
“It’s a bit unfortunate if he’s receiving most of it,” he said. “Whether Robbie cops it or different individuals cop it, it’s a reflection of the entire group.”
Mortlock conceded he was bemused and bewildered at media suggestions that the Wallabies should be put on a win bonus instead of the current flat payment of $11,500 per Test, irrespective of the outcome.
“I don’t think win bonuses correlate to the guys wanting to try harder or perform better,” he said.
“We’re in this because we love doing what we do. Most guys would be doing this even if we didn’t get paid.
“Rugby is something I love doing and always have loved doing.”
Mortlock made the point that the Wallabies had been promised bonuses in the past if they won the Rugby World Cup but, although it was evident to all that they had tried their hearts out, results at times still had not gone their way.
“It’s quite comical really. If you go down that path, where do you stop?” he said.
Well Deans does have a slight problem, his backline is quickly turning into to midgets of world rugby and the loss of Mortlock does not help.
I said at the beginning of the international season that Mortlock should be put out to pasture but he managed a few more runs before the injury. I don’t think he will make it back this time.
For the record, there are apparently huge support to instill Barnes as the new captain and a few pundits even thought it will happen for this test. The general expectation now is that he will get the nod for the summer stint…
Yep He’s a good player Koos, but rugby being directed from NSW and his being a Queenslander hasn’t helped his chances, luckily Deans has no allegiances.
Not to mnetion how old is he ?
What is wrong with Smith as Capt ?
Hello boys 😀
Agreed Princess, Smith and Elsom their best players.
2 @Manlybok – Remember he will be wearing blue next year…
@Manlybok –
You agreeing with me ? 😯
#6 Princess, just the exception proving the rule.
NSW Koos ?
Oh yes, I was thinking Smith, of course Barnes is coming here.
4 @Manlybok – 3 @Rugby_Princess – They are looking at 2011, Smith not guarenteed to make it that far…
8 @Manlybok – He only signed a one year contract, expected to move even further South to Melbourne the year after…
Well NSW desperately needs a flyhalf, so that’s where he’ll be playing I bet(Barnes).
11 @Manlybok – Not Smith 😉 What you going to do with Beale then? Don’t be surprised to see him at inside center rather than #10.
@Manlybok –
Jasurenowellfine 😥
@Koos –
Why not ?
13 @Rugby_Princess – He is not that young anymore, Pocock is pushing hard for a starting spot.
@Koos –
No way Smith will voluntarily retire before RWC.
15 @Rugby_Princess – Yes I agree, he may just not be the #1 in 2 years time.
Koos,
They seem to have gone off Beale here, they’re nursing him, flyhalf was their downfall this season.
17 @Manlybok – Maybe but the other youngster, Whathisface did well up here with Barnes to guide him, they may use the same tactic down South.
Koos,
I hate whatshisface, but have to admit he had a good season this year.
Manly, he does have a ‘kom-moer-my’ attitute but also a lot of rugby skill. Still very young though and he outplayed his big competitor Beale by a long shot.
whatshisface ??
21 @Rugby_Princess – Why, don’t you follow rugby? You would know who we talking about…
@Manlybok – send me a mail to ——- and i will send you the cutest cheetah picks, we talked about earlier. I dont have your addie.
@Koos –
Watch it chommie or I will tell your wife !! 😯
Koos,
And whatshisface deserved his callup to the Wallaby 22.
@Manlybok –
That’s it … I am gonna sulk now 🙁
@Manlybok – I am not sure who is whatshisface but i would call Phill Waugh – moermeface
25 @Manlybok – and he did ok when he had a run…
#27 Super,
Stem, of klaargemoerface.
#28 Koos,
Yes, he’s playing with more confidence and has a good step, as long as he forgets the goose one that Bakkies doesnt buy.
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