Stirling Mortlock on the attack against the All Blacks. AAP Photos
According to Wayne Smith, the chief rugby writer for The Australian, Mortlock was not told before the axe fell that he was going to be chopped off from the captaincy of the Wallabies on their 2009 Spring Tour. He had a good idea, though, that this execution was coming.
When the new leadership team for the Wallabies was fronting the media, he was at the movies with his kids.
Greg Growden, the chief rugby writer for The Sydney Morning Herald, has pointed out that Mortlock was “surprised” to lose the captaincy and concerned “about the official lines of communication.”
But Growden goes on to point out that the excuse used by Mortlock’s supporters that he was at odds with the ARU over Lote Tuqiri’s dismissal from the Wallabies does not hold up.
Mortlock, according to Growden (and he is correct in this), was given a full briefing by the ARU of the Tuqiri dismissal. Mortlock then “told officials he agreed with the ARU’s decision.”
The problem for Mortlock after this, though, is that he did not unequivocally express this view to the rugby media. Talking to journalists, Mortlock tended to concentrate on the negative effect the Tuqiri dismissal had (supposedly, my word, not his) on his fellow Wallabies.
Growden, from what I know about the raging politics of Australian rugby is – once again – spot on with his assessment that the overriding factor behind the decision of Robbie Deans was to change the culture of the Wallaby squad by de-powering and not selecting in a couple of cases “the disaffected few.”
This decision meant bringing in a new leadership of the team.
Mortlock was seen to be too closely aligned to the “disaffected few” and to some former senior Wallabies who are heavily involved with the players’ union, RUPA.
For reasons going back to the early days of professionalism, when John O’Neill tried to claw back some of the excessive payments the players had screwed out of the ARU, RUPA and some of the senior players began an obsessive quest to get rid of O’Neill.
The best way of describing this nasty situation is to describe O’Neill and the ARU as the government and RUPA as a belligerent opposition determined to sweep the government out of office and set itself and its mates up as the controllers of the game.
Complicating all of this has been a very bitter group of Queensland officials who did not take kindly to O’Neill’s initial efforts to get rid of people he thought were holding back his efforts to push Australian rugby out of the mess he had inherited when he first became the ARU’s CEO.
The 1999 Rugby World Cup victory crowned O’Neill’s first stint as the ARU’s CEO.
The victory was achieved by the officials (O’Neill), the coach (Rod Macqueen) and the captain of the Wallabies (John Eales) all working together for the common good of the Wallabies. I called this trio Australian rugby’s “holy trinity.”
On his second round as the ARU’s CEO, O’Neill is trying to replicate another “holy trinity.”
He chased and snared Deans after the NZRU rather foolishly rejected him in favour of the failed incumbent Graham Henry. Now, with Rocky Elsom, he has a captain who is aligned with the ARU (remember Elsom was given special permission to spend a season in Ireland), rather than with the RUPA elements.
Mortlock’s problems with holding on to the captaincy of the Wallabies were further complicated by his age (32), his increasing tendency to get injured and, therefore, the fears that he will not be around for the 2011 World Cup.
Mortlock compounded these fears by making a trip to Japan to sound out playing there while he was injured and missed several Tri-Nations Tests.
Deans’ fears about whether Mortlock will make it through to 2011 are no doubt reinforced by the memory of the 2003 RWC tournament when he was assistant coach for the All Blacks and Tana Umaga his form centre broke down. Umaga always insists that he could have played in the semi-final against Australia.
But the gamble to play him was not taken.
Leon MacDonald, who had never played centre in Test rugby, was selected instead. MacDonald missed a cut-out pass 10m out from the Wallaby tryline early on in the match.
The pass was intercepted and the opposing Wallaby centre raced away for the match-defining try.
That player, the great interceptor, was Stirling Mortlock. This was his greatest moment as a Wallaby and the ultimate reason why he later was made captain, in my opinion.
These sort of heroics are beyond Mortlock now.
He gives size to a small Wallaby backline, admittedly, and experience and strong defensive capabilities. However, he is now a match-saver rather than a match-winner.
The captain of the Wallabies has to be assured of his place in the team. Mortlock is reaching that awkward late stage in his career where his lack of pace and a series of injuries are limiting his effectiveness as a dynamic presence on the field.
He is still an asset for the Wallabies. But for how much longer?
By dropping him from the captaincy, Deans has really put Mortlock on notice that he is still wanted in the squad. However, if his form slips further, or if someone in the squad really impresses in the centres (Rob Horne, perhaps?), then the axe will fall on his Wallaby spot, too.
In the end, Mortlock lost the Wallaby captaincy because his position in the Wallaby run-on side is no longer a certainty as it has been for virtually all of his distinguished career.
Paul
Guest
what other options does he have? - the australian depth is just not there. - Deans needs time to groom the players, Deans inherited a poor performing team that had a bleak future. I agree that they may have not found the solution yet but could it be that it just goes back to the quality of players he has to choose from not being at world standard? Something as simple as this I think.
warrenexpatinnz
Guest
Spook I have no time for Greg Growden as a rugby writer as he either wants to ride on the spoils of victory and be invited into the old boys club or more often than not sink the boot into all and sundry in Australian rugby for the sake of selling a few papers. I don't like the bloke and believe in fair and accurate reporting, no problems with constructive critiscism or the feel good comment with a bit of humility but venomous, under mining articles aren't cool and he should seriously think about writing for a british tabloid if his standard of writing can't improve to that of a Warren Smith or Stephen Jones (Jonesy does rubbish the ABs every chance he gets though so maybe a bad example?). I feel better now I have just rubbished the bloke, good therapy. Cheers
sportym
Guest
I respect Mckenzie cause he changed the culture within the Tahs, under him they beat their hoodoo against the Reds and beating the Brumbies at home. He also tuned them into a side that made the finals. Also the difference between the two at provincial level was not the coaches but Carter. I strongly disagree that he lost the plot at the Tahs, the root of the tahs problems lies with the NSWRU. Its seems that the ARU and NSWRU have alot in common.
Dean Pantio
Guest
Deans decision. Umaga was clear about that.
JustinB
Guest
*falls flat on his face* Jeezus Spiro, are you sure you can't blame South Africa for Mortlock's sacking or the behind the scenes infighting? You just have to try harder man, we're relying on you! You can't write an entire article without unloading on the Boks somehow, somewhere! You just can't Spiro! Say it ain't so!
NickF
Guest
I have heard that Barnes has only signed a one year contract with NSW with the hope of moving to Melb in the up and coming Super 15 (that is if they get the gig).
NickF
Guest
Was replacing Umaga with McDonald Deans decision or Mitchells. Mitchell was, after all, coach. And AntonOliver said that his dumping was also due to Mitchell. If the Wallabies fail do we blame Deans or Williams (Wallaby forward coach)? If the All Blacks fail du they blame Henry or Hanson?
mudskipper
Guest
I think RUPA are rather reasonable in their manner of business. Someone needs to watch the provincial teams, agents and ARU administrators... Does any really want to see another Firepower fiasco in Australian rugby? I categorically don’t… As for Rod Macqueen fan or foe, he got results and did it his way… and facilitated to set up a great rugby culture with the Brumbies. In turn they became a group of believers in their abilities and what they could achieve together.... Rob Deans is still writing his own story... I think he needs to take charge without O’Neill constantly looking over his shoulder… and get on with the task.
OldManEmu
Guest
http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/rugby-players-keep-the-ball-rolling/1238356.aspx Steady there Hammer. Who exactly are you referring to?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I don't know why you brought me into this. I think you're referring to QC. Anyway, Australia sucked against France.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The All Blacks were the best side in the world under Henry. They weren't anywhere near that good under Mitchell and Deans. The All Blacks won the Bledisloe back in the year that the Blues were the best team in the Super 12. What was the difference between the 2003 Blues and the '99-02 Blues? Graham Henry. In fact, who was working the coal face during all of the great All Black runs of the professional era? Graham Henry. Who is the greatest NZ coach of the past 20 odd years? Graham Henry.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Hammer - an interesting post. Never heard of anyone who knows anyone in RUPA. I just love inside gossip it makes all the difference to a post. Agree that RUPA is a blight on the Australian rugby watching public. We must diverge over McQueen. I think he took them from dictatorship to democracy with a plan in mind to free the players and get the best out of them. Like all great political ideas it only lasts a couple of generations ie Russia, then the old problem self interest re-asserts itself. We are suffering from a bunch of guys who have all grown up in a wealthy world and think a million is a fine first step but wait! there must be more. You would have to say McQueens defensive ploys using league structures has been more enduring than this current self interest, player power pestilence. Individually I am sure the Wallabies are fine guys it is just a bit American ie Show Me the Money! Now that is fine on the back of great performances. The stench comes when they dont perform, turnstiles are getting rusty but they still want to be shown the money. Regarding Australian jobs for Australians, I think those days are long gone. The players work in a global market and so do all the others.
Dean Pantio
Guest
By recent he means since they lost in 2005...
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Circus - we can all sit back and relax and die. it's easy really, give it a go! Agree with you about the Waratahs, as long suffering fans we know only too well. The Brumbies were the Australian watching publics darlings for a few seasons, seems like you have sat back, relaxed into the general malaise. Who is accusing Larkham, Kafer, Mortlock, Smith, Roff or Finigan? Have not seen any of these guys named as the reason Australian rugby is in the crapper. Now Gregan, that is a different story.
Hammer
Guest
RUPA are a bunch of loser players and administrators that lucked onto their jobs with the advent of professionalism in rugby. They have very clear conflicts of interest in that they are player managers and manage the association. I know some of them and i would not have them manage collecting my mail. They push the controversy button when they want, they try and stage manage media (Pos & Prob match payments). On the team culture, All organisation, teams, groups are culturally identified by their leadership. Behaviour, ethics, language, work ethic, desire, attitude and competitiveness all stem from the style, presence and leadership of the "centres of influence" within the group. Once MacQueen changed elite rugby from a beneficial dictatorship to a latte drinking, lotion rubbing democracy we were lost! Ad in the losers from RUPA and we have what we have! Finally on Dean's, he was a great provincial coach in NEW ZEALAND and should have the Blacks job. I make no apologies by saying we should have stuck with an australian. As pathways are provided for Players and referees so it should be with coaches. The ARU has set a precedent now by justifying it all with "its a professional sport" well lets put the national team positions up for the best man for the job and call far applications from ALL professional players to play for Australia. Lets includes the managers and asist managers as well as assit coaches, who are the most professional reserves we can find. The job should have gone to and Australian coach as should ALL positions in the AUSTRALIAN team.
Hammer
Guest
Its not why they were successful... Picking the jersey, player empowerment crap! They were bloody good footy players! Rejects rom NSW, Qland and some outstanding players rom the ACT. Player power/ RUPA has stuffed Aust Rugby. that with the lost of Coaches that can not coach skills and are continually white anted by administrators (NSW/QLAND). The crap style of rugby we lay now is a direct result of PLAYER POWER!
Hammer
Guest
I hate gloves in rugby...... They are for boxing and fencing (around the back 40)
Derm
Roar Guru
O'Driscoll said Elsom was the greatest player he had played with which is quite different from the greatest player in the world. Elsom leading Aus onto the field at Croke Park will be a great occasion. He was - and remains - a hugely popular figure with Leinster fans and a lot of grudging respect from other provinces for his performances. And he got to know other teams outside of Ireland through playing in the H Cup. However, I think it is a mistake for him to have been appointed captain. He never struck me as leadership material during his time in Leinster. He likes to get down and dirty and makes great uplifting carries up the field for his team. Well - he did for Leinster. I didn't see him get as much opportunity to do it with the Wallabies. He certtainly has a combative spirit - but then so do lots of players - doesn't mean they should be captain. But maybe Deans knows best - and giving this opportunity to Rocky will see him step up another level on tour. Am looking forward to see him back in Dublin - there'll be a special welcome reserved for him.
Knives Out
Guest
Hang on... I just read the word 'recent'. The overall record v Australia stands with France having a 41.03% winning record. France has a 23.91% winning record against NZ, and a 27.78% winning record against SA. I think it's debatable that France has a better recent winning record against NZ.
Knives Out
Guest
That's interesting. I didn't know that was true. I shall look into that, circus.