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**truebluefan** · 12-01-2007, 12:18 PM

WALLABIES skipper Stirling Mortlock is set to step down as Brumbies captain, claiming it would be a "smart move" to usher in a new era of leadership at the Super 14 club.

And in a massive boost for Australian rugby, Mortlock quashed speculation he would seek an early release from his ARU contract, although his long-term future remains undecided.

Mortlock is yet to broach the leadership issue with Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher but indicated the timing could be right for a change because of his unavailability for the first half of the season due to shoulder surgery.

"I'm actually going to Canberra next week to have a chat to Laurie, the coaching staff and senior players about me missing more than half a season," Mortlock told The Sun-Herald.

"We might go down the track of choosing a long-term captain for the side. I haven't spoken about that yet with the coaching staff but it's something we will sit down and address.

"A little bit of a changing of the guard may be happening.

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**truebluefan** · 12-04-2007, 07:24 PM

Super 14 coaches have applauded the experimental rule changes officials hope will produce "super-charged rugby" next year, but Wallaby flankers Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom sounded cautionary notes.

The three SANZAR nations agreed to implement most of the variations which were trialled in this year's Australian Rugby Championship.

They cover several areas of the game including lineouts, scrums, the breakdown and the awarding of penalties.

Backlines must be five metres back from the scrum, quick lineouts can now go backward as well as straight, and free kicks rather than penalties will be awarded for all offences other than offside and foul play.

However, a number of the more contentious variations, including the pulling down of mauls, unlimited lineout numbers and the allowance of hands in the ruck were not introduced due to "vagueness" over their interpretations.

Multiple Super title-winning Crusaders coach Robbie Deans said he thought it was great that the International Rugby Board had shown some flexibility over the laws.

"There's obviously a little bit of a fear of the unknown, but we believe it's going to be good for the game," Dean said at Tuesday's SANZAR conference in Sydney.

"To that end, while it's a courageous step, we're better to act and do something where there's a need, than do nothing at all and from a coaching perspective we're pretty excited about it."

His enthusiasm for the changes was echoed by two Australian Super coaches, the Force's John Mitchell and the Waratahs' Ewen McKenzie.

While leading players were also generally enthusiastic about the experimental laws, they claimed they wouldn't make that much difference to the game.

"You can try and guide teams with rules, but really they will just try and bend them and change them back to the way they want them, so it'll probably be a while before you really see wholesale changes," Elsom said.

Waugh said the experimental laws were exciting for rugby and represented a fresh start after a "disappointing 2007".

"I think you may see a few more yellow cards rather than penalties, so discipline is still going to be crucial," Waugh said.

Waugh felt the New Zealand and Australian teams might initially be advantaged by the changes because of their traditional preference for playing more expansive rugby.

"It may disadvantage the South Africans a little bit, but I'm sure they will work out game plans to bring their size and power into the new changes," Waugh said.

Australian Rugby Union deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said it had not yet been determined whether the changes would be used in the Tri Nations, but stressed that next year's home Tests against Ireland and France would definitely be played under the existing laws.

Mitchell said he was looking forward to embracing the new variations.

"It's really essential for the game, even more so for us in Australia, where we are competing with the other contact sports and it's important the game is a lot more free flowing," he said.

ARU officials expected the changes to produce a faster game, with the ball in play for up to an extra five minutes.

**truebluefan** · 12-04-2007, 07:25 PM

Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri hopes to put last year's off-field headlines behind him and has predicted a big future for new Waratahs' team mate and fellow league convert Timana Tahu.

Tuqiri, Australian rugby's most successful league convert, returned to NSW training along with the Waratahs' other Wallabies.

The match-winning winger attracted the wrong type of headlines last year when he was suspended for two Tri Nations Tests and fined $20,000 following his failure to attend a Wallabies team medical and recovery session back in July and then testing above the team alcohol limit .

"You go through those things in life and hopefully come out better the other side and I've worked through that and tried to put it behind me," Tuqiri said.

He said he had already spoken to Tahu a couple of times and was enthusiastic about their potential partnership.

"He's looking pretty good, he will be really good for us, he's a natural footballer and he's got a footy brain," Tuqiri said.

"He's a big boy as well, so I think he will be well suited to the way we want to play this year."

Tahu is expected to line up in the centres, with outside centre likely to be his major position.

Tuqiri, who has also played the odd game at outside centre, felt he could be a beneficiary of Tahu's line-breaking ability and unselfish attitude.

"He can break the line and hopefully I can be there on his outside to score a few meat pies," Tuqiri said.

"He's not a very selfish player, so he's good to have in the side."

Tuqiri believed the Experimental Law Variations (ELV) would definitely open the game up a lot more.

Tahu apart, Tuqiri expected other Waratahs backs like winger Lachlan Turner and Kurtley Beale to perform well in the coming season.

**truebluefan** · 12-04-2007, 07:26 PM

Recovering ARU boss John O'Neill should be back at work immediately after Christmas.

O'Neill was forced to have surgery on his neck to remedy disc degeneration soon after his return from the Rugby World Cup in October.

His lay-off has meant he missed chairing the job interviews of prospective Wallabies coaches last month and didn't attend last week's IRB rugby forum in the UK.

"His recovery is progressing very well, his doctors are very pleased," ARU deputy CEO Matt Carroll told AAP today.

"We've kept him appraised of any important issues coming up in the next few weeks and he'll be back full-time in the office after Christmas.

"It's some degeneration of a couple of discs which was quite painful and one of those things you have to operate on.

"It's been very successful and he'll be back to full strength after Christmas."

O'Neill, 56, returned to the chief executive's chair at the ARU in June.

**truebluefan** · 12-04-2007, 07:26 PM

The future of the ACT Brumbies' captaincy is set to go under the spotlight this week when injured skipper Stirling Mortlock returns to Canberra for the first time since the Wallabies lost their Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

Mortlock revealed on Sunday he was considering stepping down from the captain's role because he would be missing at least half the Super 14 season as he recovers from a shoulder reconstruction.

The outside-centre will meet coach Laurie Fisher and medical staff on Thursday to discuss his progress but it is also likely his ongoing role within the team will be addressed.

Mortlock, 30, took over from George Gregan as captain of the Brumbies in 2004 and indicated in the Sun-Herald that it might be time to pass the baton on to the new generation of players.

Fisher said he was surprised to see Mortlock's comments in the paper but understood why he was thinking of stepping aside as skipper.

"I haven't had a discussion with him yet, so I guess I was surprised to read things in a national newspaper before we've had a discussion about them," Fisher said, "That's what surprises me, but if he feels that way it's certainly more than legitimate given the amount of football he's going to miss, but I'd prefer to have had a discussion first before reading it nationally.

I certainly think that continuity of leadership is important, a short-term stand-in is fine but I think a stand-in that's potentially there for half to three-quarters of the season is not necessarily ideal."

Mortlock underwent his third shoulder reconstruction within a week of arriving back in Australia from France. The operation went well but he is still likely to be sidelined for six months and has tentatively said he would aim for an early April comeback.

Since the operation, speculation has been rife over whether he would continue as the Brumbies' captain, and if not, who would take the reins.

George Smith, who filled the captaincy role in Mortlock's absence last season and captained the Wallabies in their Wold Cup win against Canada, is widely regarded as the next Brumbies skipper.

Fisher said Smith would be a frontrunner for the role if the coaches decide to appoint a new captain but added there were a couple of other players who they would also consider.

"I don't think it's absolutely comfortably with [Smith], but I thought captaining last year was good for his game, because it made him think a little bit beyond his own preparation.

"George is somebody who does understand the game and has got some good insights but rarely offers those, so it brought him out of his shell a little bit. But he had good assistance from your [Stephen] Larkhams,your Gregans, your Jeremy Pauls and that sort of assistance won't be available through 2008."

Fisher said there were a number of factors to consider when appointing a captain. First the player had to have a reasonably secure place in the side but also had to show attributes of non-selfishness and the ability to lead by example on and off the field.

**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 04:55 PM

THE Super 14 competition will introduce a raft of changes next year as southern-hemisphere rugby attempts to increase its entertainment value, lengthen the amount of time the ball is in play and quicken the game.

Australian teams are set to benefit most from the new laws as they have been extensively trialled in the Australian Rugby Championship and lower-tier competitions.

Australian Rugby Union deputy chief executive Matt Carroll admitted yesterday that the laws were aimed at boosting entertainment value.

"We are in a very competitive market," Carroll said. "We know how strong football is around the world, we know how strong Australian rules and league are in Australia. Even in New Zealand they know how strong rugby league is."

A large number of players from NSW, the Queensland Reds, Brumbies and Western Force have already played under the rules and have a prime chance to make use their experience and get a jump on their rivals early. With Australian rugby hurting after poor results in last year's Super 14 and World Cup as well as a drop in crowd numbers, gate takings and television ratings, quick on-field success next season would be an ideal medicine.

NSW coach Ewen McKenzie admitted his side "had the benefit here of having seen it whereas others don't.

"I have been banking on the fact (the rules) will be in. We have been conditioning on the basis the game will be more free flowing.

"We have certainly recruited on (that) … So the people we have got should sit in well with the way the game is going," McKenzie said.

Western Force coach John Mitchell has also prepared his squad expecting the variations to be approved.

"We have been expecting them," he said. "It will just require better decision making … probably quicker transitions between attack and defence. With the game in its previous form, there was a lot of down time between when the ball is kicked out and the scrum."

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**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 04:56 PM

David Nucifora believes he wouldn't have any problem keeping one foot on either side of the Tasman if he is appointed the next Wallabies coach - but he admits the experience would be "interesting".

That's because Nucifora still wants to coach the Blues in next year's Super 14, even if he gets the Wallabies job.

"It's not too tricky … it would be interesting … yeah," said Nucifora after a SANZAR practical session at Coogee Oval on the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) to be used in the 2008 tournament.

If Nucifora does get the nod from the Australian Rugby Union over Ewen McKenzie, Alan Jones, Laurie Fisher and John Muggleton - and possibly Robbie Deans - he will still need the support of the New Zealand Rugby Union, having signed a new two-year contract with the NZRU in June to stay at the Blues.

The ARU has stated that if the candidate it unveils - potentially after next Friday's ARU board meeting in Sydney - is a Super 14 coach, he will be allowed to continue his Super 14 commitments.

"The Blues are keen for me to stay. The ARU have said they are happy, if a Super 14 coach gets the job, [for them] to do their job. I am happy to do that," Nucifora said. "It will be up to the New Zealand Rugby Union to ultimately make the decision because they are my employer."

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**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 04:56 PM

Australian Super 14 rookie of the year Lachie Turner today pledged his allegiance to the NSW Waratahs for another three years after considering a possible move to the Brumbies.

Speedy Turner, 20, was already signed up for 2008, but will now be contracted to NSW until the end of the 2011 campaign.

Turner, who can play at wing or fullback, said he didn't want the distraction of protracted and public contract negotiations which had affected other players, including fellow Waratahs winger Lote Tuqiri.

"The contract process wasn't something that I wanted hanging over me for a long time, I saw how it affected some other people," Turner said.

"I just wanted to do it quietly and in my own time and get it out of the way, so I'm very happy to do that."

Turner said as recently as 12 months ago he would never had dreamt of signing a long term contract, but always wanted to play for the Waratahs despite interest from the Brumbies.

"It was a tough choice, I've got a lot of friends down at the Brumbies and I went down to visit them last week and they were sort of pulling the heart strings down there," Turner said.

"But in the end it came down to I just wanted to be a Waratah. I've grown up wanting to be one and this year has been the most amazing year of my life."

Turner said among the Brumbies who were trying to entice him to the national capital were halfback Josh Holmes, who he has known since the age of 15 and has moved across from NSW for next season.

He downplayed talk of representing the Wallabies next year, but NSW coach Ewen McKenzie said he had no doubt Turner would play Test football.

Turner was excited at the prospect of playing in an NSW backline including fellow flyer Tuqiri, league convert Timana Tahu and exciting young five-eighth Kurtley Beale.

"This backline is potentially one of the best in the Super 14 comp and I'm really excited about being a part of that."

**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 04:57 PM

Injured Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock will keep the captaincy reins of the Brumbies in the 2008 Super 14.

Mortlock met with Brumbies officials over the leadership issue today after hinting he might stand aside to allow a change of guard next season.

But the 30-year-old, eyeing a big-money move overseas late next year, insisted he was still keen to keep the captaincy despite missing the first half of the Super 14 following shoulder surgery.

Coach Laurie Fisher quelled speculation after the morning meeting in Canberra, declaring Mortlock was needed as leader more than ever following the loss of veterans George Gregan and Stephen Larkham.

The Brumbies will also be without retired hooker Jeremy Paul and have winger Clyde Rathbone (knee) sidelined.

"Having lost key senior leaders, the remaining senior players need to step up," Fisher said.

"(Mortlock) was concerned that not being here for a period of time was going to be detrimental to leading the team but I tend to think the other way.

"His role is more important in 2008 than it's been in 2007 and 2006."

Mortlock was quoted on the weekend saying a new long-term skipper might be chosen in line with the change of guard at Australia's most successful Super 14 franchise.

The powerful centre was adamant today he "loved" captaining the Brumbies but was unsure whether the Canberra club wanted to utilise his injury break as a time to plan for the future.

"It's more about that I'm off contract at the end of next year and whether the organisation wanted to make long-term succession planning move," he said.

The Brumbies are weighing up their options on replacing Mortlock before he returns from a third shoulder reconstruction midway through the competition.

Fisher hinted a small rotational captaincy group may be preferred.

"We're looking at a number of alternatives and I don't know that we need to appoint a single captain in Stirling's place," he said.

"That might be an opportunity to cycle through a few players as part of expanding our leadership base for the future so it gives us a chance to see how you can transition your leadership."

Al Campbell and George Smith, who both led the side at times last season, are front-runners for a leadership role while fellow forwards Mark Chisholm and Nick Henderson are also in the mix.

With no plans to stay in Australia to play for the Wallabies at the 2011 World Cup, Mortlock said he would decide his playing future by February.

Mortlock denied his decision would be influenced by who the Australian Rugby Union appoints as the new Wallabies coach.

An ARU board meeting is scheduled for Friday week when Connolly's successor is expected to be selected.

Australia A coach Fisher, one of five official candidates, gives himself no chance of getting the job.

"No one has spoken to me so that indication is an indication to me I can put my head down here and work hard," he said.

**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 04:59 PM

Former Wallaby Joe Roff ended his rugby career in defeat as Oxford captain when his side lost the 126th annual Varsity match against Cambridge 22-16 at Twickenham today.

Roff, capped 86 times for Australia, played a key role, switching from the centres to fullback as the Dark Blues fought back from 8-0 down in the first half to take a 16-8 lead.

They suffered a scare midway through the second term when Thomas Malaney scored a try for Cambridge and Juliano Fiori converted, closing the gap to just one point at 16-15 in Oxford's favour.

But the turning point came in the 65th minute when Cambridge No.8 James Lumby ran over for a try, which Fiori converted to hand the Light Blues a six-point advantage.

Magnanimous in defeat - his second in a varsity match after making his debut in Oxford's 15-6 loss last year - Roff congratulated Cambridge captain Ross Blake and his team.

"I have to give an immense amount of credit to Ross and Cambridge for the way they played the match ... they deserved that victory," Roff said.

"To come back from 16-8 and keep their composure under a lot of pressure was a great credit to them."

Oxford spent the last minute of the match within a few metres of the try line desperately fighting to break through the stubborn Cambridge defence but to no avail.

When they finally cleared the ball, a fumble in the dying seconds killed off any hope of a last-gasp win by the Dark Blues.

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