INTERNATIONAL NEWS: AUSTRALIA COACH Robbie Deans has urged Stirling Mortlock to play on to the 2011 World Cup despite dumping him as captain in favour of Rocky Elsom for the Wallabies' season-ending Grand Slam tour.
Deans named Mortlock in a 35-man squad yesterday for upcoming internationals against New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and said he was hopeful the 32-year-old would commit to the Wallabies beyond next year when his contract expires.
“Stirling and I have had a number of conversations over the last few weeks and the dialogue has been really encouraging,” Deans said in Sydney. “I believe he can go the distance. We’re hopeful he believes that, but ultimately that will be his call.”
Speculation surrounding Mortlock’s captaincy had grown since the 80-cap veteran sustained a serious knee injury during a Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in August. Mortlock, who led the Wallabies for the better part of four seasons, said this week he had travelled to Japan while recovering from injury for talks with club Kyuden Voltex and would decide on his long-term future before the end of the year.
Elsom’s appointment comes only months after returning to the Australian fold from a season-long sojourn in Ireland, where he was lauded for his key role in Leinster’s road to the Heineken Cup.
The 26-year-old flanker, sidelined for most of the season with a knee injury, played only four Tests before getting the call-up after Australia’s doomed Tri-Nations campaign. “It’s a bit like when you get your first jersey, I think, you’re over the moon to have that opportunity, but also there’s a lot of responsibility that goes with that, but I’m just really happy to get that opportunity,” Elsom said.
Elsom was chosen due to his certainty in terms of selection, and ability to lead from the front, Deans said. “Rocky has the respect of his team-mates because of his approach and the total commitment he brings to the game,” he added.
Outhalf Berrick Barnes was named as vice-captain of the squad, which includes seven uncapped players, but lock Nathan Sharpe and flanker Phil Waugh were omitted due to injury.
Veteran prop Al Baxter was also left out, signalling Deans’ hope that youth will turn the flagging Wallabies’ fortunes around.
“This tour provides us with a development opportunity . . . That is why we have opted to introduce some younger players, as opposed to taking along players whose capabilities we are already aware of,” Deans said. “Clearly players that fall into that category are the likes of Baxter and possibly Waugh.”
Australia will head to Japan for their final Bledisloe Cup match in Tokyo on October 31st, after signing off their Tri-Nations campaign month with a woeful 33-6 thrashing by the All Blacks in Wellington last month.
The squad then travels to Europe, hoping to emulate the 1984 side that completed a clean sweep of wins against the four Home Nations in the last Grand Slam tour.
