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Mortlock to miss Super 14 season
By Bret Harris
October 17, 2007
AUSTRALIA and Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock is expected to miss the Super 14 next year because of a shoulder injury he carried during the World Cup in France.
And Wallabies fullback Chris Latham has been linked with Northern Irish province Ulster.
Still getting over the disappointment of the Australia's early exit from the World Cup, Mortlock had a scan on his shoulder on Monday and all indications were that he would require reconstructive surgery.
This is set to be confirmed when Mortlock has an arthroscopy on his shoulder on Friday.
If the Wallabies' quarter-final against England in Marseille two weeks ago was not a knock-out match, it is understood Mortlock would not have played.
Mortlock, 30, has had two shoulder reconstructions, including one that almost cost him a place in the Wallabies' 2003 World Cup squad.
The loss of Mortlock would be devastating for the Brumbies, who have lost world record Test halves pairing, George Gregan and Stephen Larkham.
Gregan has signed with French club Toulon, while Larkham is still negotiating with European and Japanese teams after his deal with Edinburgh fell through.
The Brumbies have shown they can win without Mortlock, but it was when Gregan and/or Larkham was on the field.
While the Brumbies could still field a backline with five players who have toured with the Wallabies, the absence of 301 Test caps of experience in the backs will making the 2008 season a real challenge for them.
Test outside back Adam Ashley-Cooper is expected to replace Mortlock at outside centre with Test winger Mark Gerrard moved to fullback.
The Brumbies have promising Sydney University and Melbourne Rebels winger Peter Playford to take over from Gerrard on the wing.
They also have the option of playing five-eighth Julian Huxley at full back and new recruit Tyrone Smith in the centres with Gene Fairbanks or Christian Lealiifano at No10.
Smith, who had been playing rugby league for Harlequins in England, is one of three new signings for the Brumbies, with halfback Josh Holmes and blindside flanker Mitch Chapman.
His older brother, Wallabies openside flanker George, is expected to replace Mortlock as Brumbies captain, while Huxley is likely to become the team's first-choice goal kicker.
Mortlock's injury could also place his future with the Wallabies under a cloud. He is yet to decide whether he will continue to play in Australia after next year or pursue his career in Europe or Japan.
Meanwhile, there is speculation Latham has already signed to play with Ulster, which includes former Australia second rower Justin Harrison.
Latham has made it known he was looking at playing overseas next year, although the ARU said he would be required by the Wallabies until the end of the Tri-Nations series.
If this is true this would be a MASSIVE blow for the Brumbies.
With Gregan and Larkham retiring they would have need an experienced player like Mortlock to guide them in the backs.
Despite the amount of talent in the team, I'm really unsure how they will go next year without him.
Ashley-Cooper was outstanding when he played outside centre for the Brumbies this year, but with Huxley at flyhalf....
By Bret Harris
October 17, 2007
AUSTRALIA and Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock is expected to miss the Super 14 next year because of a shoulder injury he carried during the World Cup in France.
And Wallabies fullback Chris Latham has been linked with Northern Irish province Ulster.
Still getting over the disappointment of the Australia's early exit from the World Cup, Mortlock had a scan on his shoulder on Monday and all indications were that he would require reconstructive surgery.
This is set to be confirmed when Mortlock has an arthroscopy on his shoulder on Friday.
If the Wallabies' quarter-final against England in Marseille two weeks ago was not a knock-out match, it is understood Mortlock would not have played.
Mortlock, 30, has had two shoulder reconstructions, including one that almost cost him a place in the Wallabies' 2003 World Cup squad.
The loss of Mortlock would be devastating for the Brumbies, who have lost world record Test halves pairing, George Gregan and Stephen Larkham.
Gregan has signed with French club Toulon, while Larkham is still negotiating with European and Japanese teams after his deal with Edinburgh fell through.
The Brumbies have shown they can win without Mortlock, but it was when Gregan and/or Larkham was on the field.
While the Brumbies could still field a backline with five players who have toured with the Wallabies, the absence of 301 Test caps of experience in the backs will making the 2008 season a real challenge for them.
Test outside back Adam Ashley-Cooper is expected to replace Mortlock at outside centre with Test winger Mark Gerrard moved to fullback.
The Brumbies have promising Sydney University and Melbourne Rebels winger Peter Playford to take over from Gerrard on the wing.
They also have the option of playing five-eighth Julian Huxley at full back and new recruit Tyrone Smith in the centres with Gene Fairbanks or Christian Lealiifano at No10.
Smith, who had been playing rugby league for Harlequins in England, is one of three new signings for the Brumbies, with halfback Josh Holmes and blindside flanker Mitch Chapman.
His older brother, Wallabies openside flanker George, is expected to replace Mortlock as Brumbies captain, while Huxley is likely to become the team's first-choice goal kicker.
Mortlock's injury could also place his future with the Wallabies under a cloud. He is yet to decide whether he will continue to play in Australia after next year or pursue his career in Europe or Japan.
Meanwhile, there is speculation Latham has already signed to play with Ulster, which includes former Australia second rower Justin Harrison.
Latham has made it known he was looking at playing overseas next year, although the ARU said he would be required by the Wallabies until the end of the Tri-Nations series.
If this is true this would be a MASSIVE blow for the Brumbies.
With Gregan and Larkham retiring they would have need an experienced player like Mortlock to guide them in the backs.
Despite the amount of talent in the team, I'm really unsure how they will go next year without him.
Ashley-Cooper was outstanding when he played outside centre for the Brumbies this year, but with Huxley at flyhalf....
