Stirling Mortlock

As of June 17, 2011 National team: August 8, 2009

Stirling Mortlock AM Austin ( born May 20, 1977 in Sydney ) is an Australian rugby union player, former captain of the Australian national team and current captain of the Super Rugby team Melbourne Rebels. He plays on the position inside three quarters.

Career

Mortlock began his career with the youth team of Lindfield Rugby Club. After his graduation he was appointed in 1996 in the U19 and a year later in the Under-21s in Australia.

1998 Mortlock joined the Brumbies in 2004 and successor of George Gregan as captain of the team. Participation in the final of the Super 14 had not been granted to him, since he was injured in 2001 and 2004 respectively in the semifinals.

2000 gave Mortlock his international debut against Argentina. He soon reached the 50 - and 100 -point mark and was the first Australian to score in four consecutive international games 20 or more points. Australia won the first time this year the title at the Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup could bring the same. Mortlock scored in the last match against South Africa the decisive penalty kick to 19:18 victory and winning the tournament.

In 2003 he was part of the Wallabies, who were inferior in the World Championships England in the final. In the semifinals, he scored a try against New Zealand after he intercepted the ball and about 80 meters back put to place him in the in-goal. He was elected after winning "Player of the Day".

2006 Mortlock was appointed captain of the national team. The following year, he celebrated his 50th international appearance. At the World Championships 2007 he led the Wallabies to the quarter- finals, where they were subject to England again.

In February 2008, Mortlock announced that he will play until the end of 2010 for Australia and the Brumbies and hence refused numerous offers from European leagues. Since 2011 he plays for the Melbourne Rebels, make the newly fifth Australian team in the expanded Super Rugby League.