Mortlock to hang up the boots

Updated June 17, 2012 15:08:53

Former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock will retire at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Mortlock, the skipper of Melbourne Rebels, made the announcement on Sunday and he is set to bring down the curtain on an 80-Test career that included 29 as Wallabies captain.

The 35-year-old has endured an injury-plagued two years at the Rebels, having moved south from the Brumbies, with whom he made his Super Rugby debut in 1998.

"It really has been an incredible journey and it will take some time for this to sink in," Mortlock said in a statement.

"Without the love and support of my family, I would never have achieved all that I have. I would also like to thank the Brumbies, the Wallabies and of course the Rebels for their support over the years, I feel a great sense of pride in representing these great teams."

Mortlock first arrived on the international scene in 1997 when plucked from the Sydney first grade competition by Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen.

He did not make his Test debut until 2000 against Argentina in Brisbane, the same season he famously kicked a penalty goal to beat South Africa in Durban to clinch the Wallabies' first Tri-Nations title.

Mortlock enjoyed several memorable moments in the Wallabies jersey, including his 80-metre intercept try that helped set up the semi-final victory over New Zealand at the 203 World Cup in Sydney.

Rebels coach Damien Hill noted the importance of having someone with Mortlock's experience as the foundation captain of the Melbourne-based franchise.

"As a start-up club, it is vital that you have the right leadership in place," he said.

Mortlock, who has 489 points to his name at the Test level, will finish the season for the Rebels with matches against Queensland, the Lions and Stormers.

The Reds fixture on June 29 will be his farewell appearance on Australian soil.

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, melbourne-3000, canberra-2600

First posted June 17, 2012 15:08:53

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Mortlock in doubt for Rebels opener

Updated February 24, 2012 17:02:30

Rebels captain Stirling Mortlock has until Wednesday to prove his injured calf is up to taking on New South Wales in Melbourne's Super Rugby season opener.

The first-round bye has given the former Test skipper extra time to recover from his troublesome injury but Rebels coach Damien Hill concedes that Mortlock was no certainty to play at AAMI Park next Friday night.

In better news, star signing Wallabies full-back Kurtley Beale, who missed their final trial with a hamstring injury, is on track to play.

"Kurtley ran well this morning so so far things are going to plan," Hill said.

"Stirling's calf injury is dragging on a little bit so we'll wait and see how that pulls up, he's probably 50/50 at this stage."

While Mortlock injured his calf just before their opening trial at the start of the month, starting hooker Ged Robinson is also in doubt with a calf injury, which forced him off the field early in their loss to the Crusaders last weekend.

Hill says he wants to have the line-up settled at least by Wednesday.

Beale has had hamstring issues since last year's World Cup and Hill says it is a fine balance between pushing his fitness and his recovery.

The 23-year-old Beale has spoken of his desire to take on his old team, the Waratahs, but Hill says that will not come into consideration.

"It's more important that the injury's right," Hill said.

"We'd be silly to rush him and to put him at risk of further or worse injury.

"He's had a history of these injuries before but I've got full faith in our medical guys.

"We won't rush him if that's the decision we have to make but so far everything's looking good."

The entire Rebels squad intended to get together to watch the Waratahs host the Super Rugby champions Queensland on Saturday night.

Hill says he expects the Reds to again be "great".

"They look strong again, Ewen (McKenzie) did a great job last year and will do another very good job this year so they'll be thereabouts," he said.

"They'll be brimming with confidence at the moment so they should be ranked number one in Australia."

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted February 24, 2012 16:39:51

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Mortlock to miss Rebels recruits' debut

Updated February 02, 2012 17:52:00

Skipper Stirling Mortlock will be a surprise spectator when star recruits James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale make their Melbourne Rebels debuts in Geelong on Friday night.

Mortlock is a late withdrawal from the Rebels backline where he was set to partner O'Connor in the centres for part of the opening pre-season trial against the Waikato-based Chiefs.

The former Wallabies captain will be sidelined with a minor knee injury which has failed to improve following a training knock a week ago.

Mortlock's absence hampers plans to gel new combinations with O'Connor running at inside centre and Beale at full-back together in the second quarter among what appears a full-strength backline.

But new coach Damien Hill is unfazed by the need to take a cautious approach by resting the 80-Test centre.

"It's nothing serious but you don't want to rush these things," he said.

It gives former Wallabies and Reds centre Lloyd Johansson more of a chance to shine at outside centre in his return to Australian rugby.

Controversial English import Danny Cipriani has been named at five-eighth for the first half and most interest will be on his combination with O'Connor in the second quarter.

Beale has defied his lingering hamstring problem to line up at Kardinia Park but Hill is not putting any pressure on his two Wallabies recruits.

"It's a combination of just getting a little bit of game fitness for the both of them and more importantly getting combinations overall," he said.

Hill stressed he had no pre-conceived ideas over who to play at number 10 when the Super Rugby competition kicks off but had been impressed by Cipriani's work ethic.

"If his training performances are any indication he's in a good spot at the moment so we can't really ask more of him."

Utility back Richard Kingi has been an impressive pre-season performer and can throw down a challenge to Wallabies back-up half-back Nick Phipps when he plays the first half at number nine.

The Chiefs will feature All Blacks five-eighth and former Hurricane Aaron Cruden in his first match since the World Cup final when he hyperextended his right knee.

Sonny Bill Williams was left out of the visitors' 29-man squad due to his New Zealand heavyweight title bout against Clarence Tillman III in Hamilton next Wednesday.

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted February 02, 2012 17:52:00

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Mortlock ruled out for Highlanders match

Updated April 14, 2011 22:32:00

Melbourne Rebels have lost skipper Stirling Mortlock to a hip injury for Friday night's Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders at AAMI Park.

Mortlock was a late withdrawal on Thursday after succumbing to the injury which he had struggled with during the week.

His place has been taken by James Hilgendorf, who will start at inside centre.

"It is really disappointing because for the first time this season we thought we were going into a game with a near full-strength side," said Rebels coach Rod Macqueen.

"At the same time though, I am relieved to have Jimmy Hilgendorf return from injury and I am confident that he will take his opportunity."

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted April 14, 2011 22:27:00

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Interview: Stirling Mortlock, Gareth Delve

Published:Saturday, June 18, 2011 2:21 AESTExpires:Friday, September 16, 2011 2:21 AEST

Rebels skipper Stirling Mortlock told Grandstand's Phillip Pope that his side's late loss to Western Force in Melbourne was a frustrating way to finish the Super Rugby franchise's inaugural season.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia

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Interview: Stirling Mortlock

Published:Saturday, June 4, 2011 2:14 AESTExpires:Friday, September 2, 2011 2:14 AEST

Melbourne captain Stirling Mortlock told Grandstand's Phillip Pope the Rebels were blown away in the second half of their 40-3 loss to the Stormers at AAMI Park.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia

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Mortlock back for Rebels

Posted April 20, 2011 12:18:00

Melbourne Rebels will welcome back inspirational skipper Stirling Mortlock from a hip injury for Friday's Super Rugby clash with the Blues in Auckland.

Mortlock was a late withdrawal from last round's heavy 40-18 loss to the Highlanders, but has been named by coach Rod McQueen at inside centre to face the Blues at North Harbour Stadium - relegating Jimmy Hilgendorf to the bench.

Julian Huxley also returns at full-back, with Richard Kingi named on the bench.

Rebels: Julian Huxley, Lachlan Mitchell, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Cooper Vuna, Danny Cipriani, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve, Michael Lipman, Jarrod Saffy, Hugh Pyle, Alister Campbell, Greg Somerville, Ged Robinson, Rodney Blake. Res: Heath Tessmann, Laurie Weeks, Hoani Macdonald, Tim Davidson, Richard Kingi, James Hilgendorf, Luke Rooney.

-AAP

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