Mortlock announces his rugby retirement
Related coverage
Former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock has announced he will end his illustrious rugby union career when the Super Rugby regular season finishes next month.
The 35-year-old Melbourne Rebels captain will play his last game on Australian soil when he leads the Rebels out against Super Rugby champions Queensland Reds at AAMI Park on June 29.
He will then end his career in South Africa where the Rebels play their last two matches and complete their season as they are not in finals contention.
Centre Mortlock has battled calf muscle injuries this season – his second of a three-year deal with the fledgling Rebels – and only made his season start in round 12.
Mortlock played 80 Tests for the Wallabies, amassing 489 points.
At his peak, Mortlock, a powerful runner and defender, was one of the best outside centres in world rugby.
He has played more than 140 Super Rugby games, spending most of his career at the Brumbies, where he made his debut in 1998.
He remains the highest-scoring Australian in Super Rugby history, the only Australian to rack up more than 1000 points.
“There’s no secret I still love what I do and still love playing. It’s more about my body,” said Mortlock.
“Being on the sidelines for nine of 10 weeks this season was extremely frustrating and tough. My body is back in the shape I want it to be but I think it is the right time (to retire).”
© AAP 2013Looking to join The Roar team? We're searching for an experienced Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. Yes, this does mean you get to work with the site all day long! If you're a digital media sales star, we want to hear from you. Apply now.
Passionate about your union? Then sign up to The Roar's brand new daily union email, delivering Roaring articles directly to you day-in, day-out. You'll love it!
Click here to join now!
- Explore:
- Rugby Union, Stirling Mortlock, Super Rugby, wallabies
June 17th 2012 @ 4:34pm
Amateur Hour said | June 17th 2012 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
Farewell brave warrior. May your career contine in Carlos Spencer’s nightmares…
June 17th 2012 @ 5:15pm
sixo_clock said | June 17th 2012 @ 5:15pm | Report comment
Solid player, fearless, dominant, inspirational.
Snorky please hurry up and have more kids, they’ll probably get ARU contracts in kindy. You know you want to.
June 17th 2012 @ 5:22pm
dcnz said | June 17th 2012 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
Stirlo ! Stirlo!
We New Zealanders salute you, even though you broke our hearts in 2003. I also remember the try you scored against us in Melbourne in 2007 I think, or did you make the break to set the try up, I can’t recall exactly.
What a strike runner you were, fierce in the tackle, played for the team, no pretty boy antics from you mate.
Stirlo Mortlock, thank you….
June 17th 2012 @ 5:47pm
jeznez said | June 17th 2012 @ 5:47pm | Report comment
Mortlock, what a legend. Used to love that little skip he would put in to power through tackles. Gee it was great seeing him go against BOD and Umaga a quality trio right there with Fourie not far off mixing it with that group at their best.
June 17th 2012 @ 7:02pm
Sage said | June 17th 2012 @ 7:02pm | Report comment
Not only a top bloke, but add that to a combination of raw power, a great mind for the game and fearless competitiveness, and that’s why he’s respected and admired the world over. A wonderful servant and ambassador for Australian rugby. Thank you and well done Stirlo.
June 17th 2012 @ 7:08pm
Ben S said | June 17th 2012 @ 7:08pm | Report comment
Great player. I still remember when be broke into the Wallaby side on the wing and some fans had a ‘Stirling for PM’ banner in the crowd.
June 17th 2012 @ 7:16pm
Dave said | June 17th 2012 @ 7:16pm | Report comment
All the best Mortlock. An absolute champion.
Easily the most destructive runner I have ever seen play the game. What he did at the Brumbies between 2000-2004 was mind blowing. He either broke the line or carried the defenders for metres. I recall in season 2002 that he was making more than 10 metres over the advantage line with EVERY TOUCH of the football for the entire year.
Look at the contrast 2003 held for Australian rugby. Eddie Jones is abused often around here, but his little deception in holding Stirlo back and back and back UNTIL the 1/4 final was pure and utter genius. People still fail to appreciate just how vital that Larkham-Mortlock combo was to Australian rugby. Earlier that season we lost to NZ and England – but without those two on board it was irrelevant.
Mortlock won us that 1/4 final, and then caused NZ nightmares for years after that semi. None of our WC success would have been remotely possible without him.
In his twlighlight years, his defence (which had been average early in his career) became punishing and brutal. Larkham and Mortlock continued to hold the national team together in the 2005-2007 period against what in my opinion was the best NZ side in over a decade (and who was far superior to the WC11 victors).
Thanks for everything Mortlock. A true champion of Australian rugby
June 17th 2012 @ 7:20pm
IronAwe said | June 17th 2012 @ 7:20pm | Report comment
All the best Stirlo. Loved watching you play mate. You are, and always will be a bloody legend.
June 17th 2012 @ 7:28pm
Blind Freddie said | June 17th 2012 @ 7:28pm | Report comment
Thanks Stirlo
For the many memorable moments with both the Wallabies and the Brumbies. Well played
June 17th 2012 @ 7:37pm
Xman said | June 17th 2012 @ 7:37pm | Report comment
One of our best. Struck fear into an All Blacks side I consider one of the best since ZinZan’s and he would bust through the bokkies and England at will. He deserves the title ‘world class’