17 October 2007

Mortlock out

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It’s been reported that Stirling Mortlock will miss the entire super 14 season next year, due to that damned shoulder injury he got in the game with Wales/Japan. They reckon he might need to have his whole shoulder reconstructed which would be the third in his career.

The Brumbies will be devastated.

[Ed. also got the following through in a Brumbies media release]

Mortlock to miss start of 2008 season

CA Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock will undergo shoulder surgery and is expected to miss the beginning of the 2008 Investec Super 14 season.

Mortlock dislocated his right shoulder in scoring a 35th minute try for the Wallabies in their Rugby World Cup fixture against Wales at Millennium Stadium on September 15. Mortlock returned to take his place in the Wallabies line-up for their quarter final loss to England three weeks later.
The rampaging outside centre will undergo surgery on his shoulder on Friday and is expected to miss the first seven matches of next year’s Investec Super 14 season.

Mortlock says he’s already looking forward to returning to the field for the CA Brumbies.

“It’s disappointing to miss a game at any stage but to miss a series of matches at the beginning of a season is particularly frustrating,” he said. “We’ve got an outstanding, young squad for next season and I’m really looking forward to being part of what will be a very exciting season for the Brumbies.

“But in the meantime, it’s a matter of getting the surgery done, getting started on my rehab and getting back on the paddock as soon as I can.”

Brumbies Rugby CEO Andrew Fagan says Mortlock will be missed.

“It’s obviously very disappointing to lose someone of Stirling’s capacity and standing within the team,” he said. “He’s a tremendous leader and very aggressive and exact in everything he does on the field.

“We’re very fortunate in the amount of versatility we hold within the team for next season and, with the likes of Adam Ashley-Cooper, Julian Huxley and Tyrone Smith, we’ve got a number of quality options to cover for Stirlo’s absence.

“Having consulted medical staff, this [surgery] was something that had to be done with his long-term rugby future in mind but we’re confident of having him back on the field for the second half of the season.”

The CA Brumbies begin their 2008 Investec Super 14 season against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday, 15 February.

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I’m sure Ben Cousins could give him something for the pain.

Growling Ferret4:16 pm 17 Oct 07

No Gregan, no Bernie, no Mortlock. The crowds will drop to Raiders-esque levels…

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