Wallabies World Cup Squad
July 23rd 2007 15:36
The Wallabies squad for the Rugby World Cup 2007 was announced tonight (Monday 23/07) at the John Eales Medal Award Dinner and I needed a few hours to get over the fact that GEORGE GREGAN is not Captain.
He's Vice Captain along with Phil Waugh.
Gregan becomes the first Australian player to participate in 4 World Cups.
Stirling Mortlock is Captain.
I am shocked at this choice. YesDorklock Mortlock has had a very good run this year (which means he only got concussion once) and yes, when he's on form he breaks that line like no other and yes he's a great personality who is very well liked by his peers and he is a great motivator but...one question...
Who does everyone (the Wallabies) turn to when they need to 'settle'?
George Gregan.
...and Jeremy Paul is nowhere to be seen.
The Forwards:
Props (#s 1 & 3):
Guy Shepherdson, Al Baxter, Matt Dunning, Greg Holmes.
Hookers (#2):
Stephen Moore, Adam Freier, Sean Hardman.
Locks (#s 4 & 5):
Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm.
Flankers (#s 6 & 7):
George Smith, Phil Waugh (v-c), Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman.
No.8s:
Wycliff Palu, David Lyons, Stephen Hoiles.
The Backs:
Halfbacks (#9)
George Gregan (v-c), Sam Cordingley.
Five-eighths (#10):
Stephen Larkham, Berrick Barnes
Wings (#s 11 & 14):
Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Mark Gerrard.
Centres (#s 12 & 13):
Stirling Mortlock (captain), Scott Staniforth, Matt Giteau.
Full backs (#15):
Chris Latham, Julian Huxley.
*******************
from Fox Sports
Mortlock to lead Wallabies
By Jim Morton
July 23, 2007
...because people knowingly pick the wrong man...sheesh...
Larkhams??? oh man....
...unfortunately for Australian Rugby...there will never be a back-up for Larkham.
Will discuss the team later. I need to sleep.
info excerpt courtesy of Fox Sports
image courtesy of Sportal
He's Vice Captain along with Phil Waugh.
Gregan becomes the first Australian player to participate in 4 World Cups.
Stirling Mortlock is Captain.
I am shocked at this choice. Yes
Who does everyone (the Wallabies) turn to when they need to 'settle'?
George Gregan.
...and Jeremy Paul is nowhere to be seen.
The Wallabies Rugby World Cup 2007 Squad:
The Forwards:
Props (#s 1 & 3):
Guy Shepherdson, Al Baxter, Matt Dunning, Greg Holmes.
Hookers (#2):
Stephen Moore, Adam Freier, Sean Hardman.
Locks (#s 4 & 5):
Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm.
Flankers (#s 6 & 7):
George Smith, Phil Waugh (v-c), Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman.
No.8s:
Wycliff Palu, David Lyons, Stephen Hoiles.
The Backs:
Halfbacks (#9)
George Gregan (v-c), Sam Cordingley.
Five-eighths (#10):
Stephen Larkham, Berrick Barnes
Wings (#s 11 & 14):
Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Mark Gerrard.
Centres (#s 12 & 13):
Stirling Mortlock (captain), Scott Staniforth, Matt Giteau.
Full backs (#15):
Chris Latham, Julian Huxley.
*******************
from Fox Sports
Mortlock to lead Wallabies
By Jim Morton
July 23, 2007
STIRLING Mortlock will lead Australia to the Rugby World Cup after changing the opinions of Wallabies selectors with an inspirational Tri-Nations.
Mortlock, seen to be warming the hot seat for former skipper George Gregan a month ago, pipped the 134-Test halfback for the captaincy of Australia's 30-man squad after hitting career-best form.
Before the 20-15 upset of New Zealand in Melbourne on June 29, Gregan was all but locked in to skipper Australia in his record-breaking fourth World Cup.
But outside centre Mortlock's courageous match-winning MCG performance and similarly powerful games and mature leadership against the South Africa and New Zealand this month turned opinions.
Former skipper Gregan was on Monday night announced as one of 60-Test veteran Mortlock's two vice-captains, along with flanker Phil Waugh, at the John Eales Medal Dinner in Brisbane.
Wallabies coach John Connolly said 30-year-old Mortlock's recent form and growing stature in the team showed he was "the right man for the job''.
Mortlock, seen to be warming the hot seat for former skipper George Gregan a month ago, pipped the 134-Test halfback for the captaincy of Australia's 30-man squad after hitting career-best form.
Before the 20-15 upset of New Zealand in Melbourne on June 29, Gregan was all but locked in to skipper Australia in his record-breaking fourth World Cup.
But outside centre Mortlock's courageous match-winning MCG performance and similarly powerful games and mature leadership against the South Africa and New Zealand this month turned opinions.
Former skipper Gregan was on Monday night announced as one of 60-Test veteran Mortlock's two vice-captains, along with flanker Phil Waugh, at the John Eales Medal Dinner in Brisbane.
Wallabies coach John Connolly said 30-year-old Mortlock's recent form and growing stature in the team showed he was "the right man for the job''.
...because people knowingly pick the wrong man...sheesh...
"Our leadership group is very strong in our team at the moment. A number of the senior players have taken a lot of responsibility and Stirling has had a very good support from the likes of the Gregans, Waughs, George Smiths and Stephen Larkhams.''
Larkhams??? oh man....
The 30-man squad contained just one minor surprise with David Lyons named along with fellow injured Waratahs No.8 Wycliff Palu (shoulder).
Lyons, who is battling a blood clot in his leg, was included at the expense of Queensland Reds lock James Horwill who may still get a call-up if either of the powerful No.8s succumb to injury.
Up to four shadow players will be announced in the coming days as stand-bys for the battling duo.
Queensland Reds five-eighth Berrick Barnes, 20, won the 13th and last backline position ahead of Sam Norton-Knight to be the youngest and only uncapped member of the squad.
In the most debated choice, Connolly and fellow selectors Michael O'Connor and Scott Johnson chose to overlook Barnes's 2007 form for the struggling Reds to install him as a back-up to Larkham.
Lyons, who is battling a blood clot in his leg, was included at the expense of Queensland Reds lock James Horwill who may still get a call-up if either of the powerful No.8s succumb to injury.
Up to four shadow players will be announced in the coming days as stand-bys for the battling duo.
Queensland Reds five-eighth Berrick Barnes, 20, won the 13th and last backline position ahead of Sam Norton-Knight to be the youngest and only uncapped member of the squad.
In the most debated choice, Connolly and fellow selectors Michael O'Connor and Scott Johnson chose to overlook Barnes's 2007 form for the struggling Reds to install him as a back-up to Larkham.
...unfortunately for Australian Rugby...there will never be a back-up for Larkham.
Will discuss the team later. I need to sleep.
info excerpt courtesy of Fox Sports
image courtesy of Sportal
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Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
Comment by David
It must have been Mortlock's most recent form at Eden Park that gave him the nod.
David ...
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Gregan is such an inspiring and professional player. I have noticed that he has such presence on the field ... seems a shame not to take advantage of his experience as captain.
Many hugs...
Cara xxxx
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Mortlock Schmortlock. He may be a good player. Heck, he's played some great games. But Gregan is the leader everyone on the team looks to. He is captain.
Kylie
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
I really need to post a pic or a clip of
DorklockMortlock poised to kick...he just looks...silly.Otherwise I do have the utmost respect for him as a person and as a Rugby player. Just not as Captain.
Hope you're well Mel...and phew...keep a watch on those traffic stats!
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Well...I feel that GG has said something to someone...and it would be about Jeremy Paul. It's just a feeling...don't quote me.
He's pissed someone off.
Stirling is fine but...I don't know....
I'm sure he will do a good job. He is a GOOD man and a GOOD player but I feel that this is more about not making GG Captain...it's not about Stirling being the best man...
It was his performance in the first Bledisloe that sealed it. And the angry glares and restraint during the 2nd one.
mah warmth sugah
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Absolutely true Cara.
..at least he is VC...they couldn't not make him VC.
I suppose we've got to say "bye" sometime but still...it GG that holds it together.
Larkham directs and Gregan deflects.
That's the way it is.
GG will still be the one the players turn to...even Mortlock turns to him. At the Brumbies as well (Mortlock was made Captain after GG stepped down).
By the way...Larkham has been offered Captaincy before but he declined.
big hugs...
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
...he will always be Captain to us KW...
hugs hon...
Dusk