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Greg Growden | May 2, 2009
STIRLING Mortlock's last Test memories are a bit hazy. Understandable too, considering it revolved around a horrendous front-on train smash with his Welsh opponent Jamie Roberts at the Millennium Stadium in November.
So hideous was the third-minute collision, Mortlock was immediately taken off the field with rubber legs, while Roberts hung on for a while, before being replaced when it was discovered he had fractured his skull. Since then, Mortlock's footballing life has continued to be off-balance, to the extent that with just over a month to go before the start of the international season, there are considerable concerns that for the first time in many years a Wallabies captain is far from an automatic Test selection.
Those who have led Australia are not often shunted around by their province, but that has been the case with Mortlock and the Brumbies this season, with the Test skipper tonight against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane finding himself on the wing - a position where he began his international career, but not one where he would anticipate finishing his career.
In recent times, the 31-year-old has appeared to be a victim of his versatility - he has appeared away from his favoured outside-centre position - and that could ultimately affect his chances of staying in the Wallabies squad as long as the 2011 World Cup. He has flitted between inside- and outside-centre for the Wallabies and the Brumbies, and when it has been required this year to get as many experienced players in the ACT back line, as against the Reds where Gene Fairbanks and Tyrone Smith will be the midfield pairing, Mortlock has been shunted out to the wing.
With this has come a form slump. As he moves spots, his performances have become less prominent, and being pushed out to the flanks would hardly be a morale booster. Nonetheless, there are several important factors still working in his favour. His biggest asset is Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes in Mortlock. In his opening year in charge of the Australian team, Deans developed a close and strong relationship with his skipper.
Deans was impressed with Mortlock's fervour, sometimes "out-there" behaviour and deep belief in the cause. Deans likes those who are fully committed, and Mortlock is certainly that. He is fearless, confrontational, and is prepared to take on-field risks that other more sensitive souls would gladly walk away from.
Deans also doesn't really care where his key players appear during the Super 14. He said several weeks ago it didn't matter if certain settled Wallabies had to appear out of their customary Test spots because their role with the provinces took on different dimensions.
So Deans is not irked his No.1 fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper has hardly been sighted at No.15 this year or that Mortlock is not perched in the centres. But what is certain is Deans has no interest in using Mortlock as a Test winger. There are better options.
It is in the centres where Mortlock is of prime use, and working against him is that suddenly the competition in that area has become somewhat extensive. On the end-of-season tour of Hong Kong and Europe, Mortlock appeared against the All Blacks, England, France and Wales at inside-centre.
Outside-centre still appears Mortlock's better option, but there are some handy alternatives including Rob Horne, Smith, Ryan Cross, Timana Tahu, Ashley-Cooper and even Digby Ioane. Inside-centre is bound to be Berrick Barnes's prime domain.
What is causing more uncertainty is where exactly James O'Connor fits in. He is without doubt the most exciting of the new talent coming through, and his recent exceptional efforts at inside-centre for the Western Force indicates he should be a Test regular within the year.
But where will Deans play O'Connor? He is certainly a pugnacious No.12, but Deans appears interested in trying him further at fullback. Who knows O'Connor may even do a Matt Giteau and be experimented with at halfback? Still it is clear O'Connor will have to be eased in somewhere, and that will force Deans to move others to accommodate the wunderkind. And that could easily put extra pressure on the Test skipper.
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