No McCaw, no Mortlock, no problem
Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:05
Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has played down the impact the absence of the two highly respected international captains - Richie McCaw of New Zealand and Stirling Mortlock of Australia - will have when the All Blacks and Wallabies go head-to-head in a Bledisloe Cup/Tri-Nations double header in Sydney on Saturday.
McCaw, who was initially bracketed with Daniel Braid as the All Blacks' openside flank, was ruled out after failing to make a full recovery from an ankle injury.
Mortlock failed to make the cut after he took a head knock in the 16-9 win over South Africa last week.
"That's not good for Richie, obviously," Deans said, adding: "Richie is a good healer, I personally thought he'd be right this week. He is close, but they did the right thing and held him back.
"But he's a bit like Stirling to that end - he will be back next week [for the rematch in Auckland]," Deans said about the absence of the two veteran captains.
"They are both inspirational players for sure. But I don't think it will reduce the intensity of the fixture at all."
And Deans believed Braid was up to the demands of this match, having kept an eye on him during the Super 14.
"He has played some outstanding rugby in the last 12 months which you have got to do obviously to earn your way back into a black jersey," said Deans.
"He has done very well. He has been in the international wilderness for a number of years now and to have worked his way back in is a credit to him and it's obviously something he will be pretty excited about."
With Mortlock ruled out, Deans opted to promote the Western Force's Player of the Year Ryan Cross for his first Wallaby start and elevate New Zealand reject Timana Tahu to a place on the bench.
Deans said he had no doubt Cross was ready to deputise for Mortlock at outside centre.
"They're both pretty direct, they've both got a presence and they're both good defenders," he said.
