Mortlock eyes World Cup swansong
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:47
Eye on the ball: Stirling Mortlock
Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock says he will consider playing on until the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
The powerhouse centre has been the Wallabies' from backline player and his leadership has been instrumental in the team's success this year under new coach Robbie Deans.
Mortlock had to be talked out of playing out his career overseas after Australia's World Cup quarter-final flop in France last year and it was widely thought he would hang up his boots when his current contract with the Australia Rugby Union expires in 2010.
He is enjoying the best form of his career and says he is not ruling out a third World Cup campaign in 2011.
"By no means am I going to close the door. No way," Mortlock told the AAP.
He said the culture change since Robbie Deans took over as Wallabies coach in June had revitalised him.
"I'm not one who lacks energy but I guess this season has given me a resurgence in just my enthusiasm levels," he said. "I've been up the whole time.
"Last year coming off the World Cup and all that was last year, it was a big disappointment and I had to make a decision on where I wanted to go.
"And as soon as I made a decision, it gave me a huge amount of drive and passion to hopefully be part of the renewal process and I've just been loving it.
"I'm thoroughly enjoying being associated with footy. The environment is really conducive to that and this group of guys are a great bunch of guys to be a part of.
"Maybe in a year or so it will be time to sit down and hopefully my form and everything are in the right shape.
"If they're not, so be it. But I will be doing everything in my power to make sure they are."
Mortlock has the full backing of Deans, who has encouraged his inspirational captain to play on "for as long as he wants".
"Stirling's getting younger by the day," Deans said. "I wouldn't limit his rugby lifespan."
Mortlock would be 34 at the next World Cup but Deans believes it is "absolutely" realistic for the 76-Test veteran to target the tournament as a possible swansong.
"It can be done," Deans said.
Without Mortlock's midfield presence and team leadership, the Wallabies slumped to their only defeat in four Tests in Europe.
"You've only got to look at games this year. He's at the thick of everything that happens," Deans said.
"When you look at the amount of leadership we've lost this year, in terms of historical leadership - Gregan, Larkham, Latham, Vickerman, Elsom - it's been important to us to have blokes like Stirling who understand the arena, understand what's required.
"Not only in terms of playing but also in terms of preparation. He loves the occasion."
