Mortlock praises forwards
Mark Hughes Sportal
Sunday, September 09, 2007 - 07:47 AM (AEST)



Stirling Mortlock Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock has paid tribute to his forwards after Australia's 91-3 thrashing of Japan in their 2007 Rugby World Cup opening match in Lyon on Saturday night.

The Australian pack looked impressive in the loose and the lineout, and despite a few teething problems with their engagement, the scrum also looked solid.

"I was very happy with the way out forwards played – they were exceptional today," Mortlock said in a televised interview after the match.

The main feature of the forwards play was their ability to control the rolling maul, which they used to great effect, particularly in the first half, to score Australia's first try in their 2007 campaign.

The Wallabies secured lineout ball on Japan's 22 and worked a maul patiently for lock Nathan Sharpe to dive over in the 24th minute of the match.

Dynamic flanker Rocky Elsom picked up the next three tries for Australia to hold a 30-3 just after half-time, with all the tries up to that point scored by forwards until the floodgates opened and the backline clicked into gear.

Despite the score-line blowing out at the end, Mortlock said he wasn't concerned about Australia's slow start to the match.

"It was out first match in two months, so we always knew it was going to be a little bit rusty but we got into our rhythm," he said.


"But I think we have to give credit to the Japan side. In the first half, they defended very well and snuffed out a lot of our attacking opportunities.

"In the second half, they probably got a little bit tired conversely we were a little more cohesive in the second half."

Mortlock also made special mention of the Wallabies youngest squad member Berrick Barnes, who picked up two tries on debut.

Barnes remarked that he was simply 'in the right place at the right time' but the Australian skipper said 21-year-old had made a dream start to his international career.

The only sour note for the Aussies was an injury to reserve winger Mark Gerrard, who limped off late in the match.

"We haven't had any word on the injury but we are hoping it is not as bad as it initially looked," said Mortlock.

The Wallabies will now prepare for their next match against their toughest opponents in Pool B, Wales, at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday September 15.