mortlock to stand down as brumbies captain.

[slomo]

stirling is to step aside claiming it would be a smart move to usher in a new era of leadership at the super 14 club....

http://www.rugbyheaven.com/news/news...394687210.html

[Flamethrower]

Just goes to show what type of bloke he is. He has put the team and the future ahead of his own glory

[JediKnight]

Just goes to show what type of bloke he is. He has put the team and the future ahead of his own glory

Either that or he knew that his place in the side wasn't guaranteed so decided to step aside as captain rather than do a "Johnnie" (Howard, that is, not Wilkinson) where he would lose the captaincy & selection in one fell swoop!!!

[Burgs]

Mortlock will skipper Brumbies

December 6, 2007 - 5:09PM

Injured Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock will keep the captaincy reins of the Brumbies in the 2008 Super 14.

Mortlock met with Brumbies officials over the leadership issue today after hinting he might stand aside to allow a change of guard next season.

But the 30-year-old, eyeing a big-money move overseas late next year, insisted he was still keen to keep the captaincy despite missing the first half of the Super 14 following shoulder surgery.

Coach Laurie Fisher quelled speculation after the morning meeting in Canberra, declaring Mortlock was needed as leader more than ever following the loss of veterans George Gregan and Stephen Larkham.

The Brumbies will also be without retired hooker Jeremy Paul and have winger Clyde Rathbone (knee) sidelined.

"Having lost key senior leaders, the remaining senior players need to step up," Fisher said.

"(Mortlock) was concerned that not being here for a period of time was going to be detrimental to leading the team but I tend to think the other way.

"His role is more important in 2008 than it's been in 2007 and 2006."

Mortlock was quoted on the weekend saying a new long-term skipper might be chosen in line with the change of guard at Australia's most successful Super 14 franchise.

The powerful centre was adamant today he "loved" captaining the Brumbies but was unsure whether the Canberra club wanted to utilise his injury break as a time to plan for the future.

"It's more about that I'm off contract at the end of next year and whether the organisation wanted to make long-term succession planning move," he said.

The Brumbies are weighing up their options on replacing Mortlock before he returns from a third shoulder reconstruction midway through the competition.

Fisher hinted a small rotational captaincy group may be preferred.

"We're looking at a number of alternatives and I don't know that we need to appoint a single captain in Stirling's place," he said.

"That might be an opportunity to cycle through a few players as part of expanding our leadership base for the future so it gives us a chance to see how you can transition your leadership."

Al Campbell and George Smith, who both led the side at times last season, are front-runners for a leadership role while fellow forwards Mark Chisholm and Nick Henderson are also in the mix.

With no plans to stay in Australia to play for the Wallabies at the 2011 World Cup, Mortlock said he would decide his playing future by February.

Mortlock denied his decision would be influenced by who the Australian Rugby Union appoints as the new Wallabies coach.

An ARU board meeting is scheduled for Friday week when Connolly's successor is expected to be selected.

Australia A coach Fisher, one of five official candidates, gives himself no chance of getting the job.

"No one has spoken to me so that indication is an indication to me I can put my head down here and work hard," he said.

AAP

[frontrow]

He well and truly deserves the role of captain, just hope he remains injury free...

[Burgs]

After missing half the season for starters? You would hope so!!!