Oracle of DelphiCaptain Stirling: Not Made of Steel...
October 30th 2006 14:16
So Stirling Mortlock is injured. Again. Just when he's needed.
This always happens. Sure he has his moments of brilliance, usually accompanied with or followed by his Superman thing...you know...
“I’m gonna fly with this ball across the tryline and ground that sucker...and injure myself in the process”.
Great photo op though.
Mortlock hurt his knee during the last All Blacks match (I don’t want to talk about it) and had surgery in September, sidelining him for 6 weeks...which is why he won’t be there for the first test against Wales (AEST 01:30am 05/11) for the Wallabies Spring Tour.
However, he hopes to be fit to play and fit to lead the Wallabies for the second test against Italy (AEST 01:00am 12/11).
Well, I hope so too... just as long as he doesn’t go flying through the air with the weakest of knees...
I mean no disrespect.
He is Captain of the ACT Brumbies and the ACT Brumbies have my vote for Government.
And I am not attacking his personality because he seems a really nice guy, humble and witty and chivalrous and articulate and all the other stuff that rugby players are made of.
His teammates will all say that he’s a man of (groan) sterling character, a great player, a great team mate, a great motivator, a great Brumbies captain...and rugby media flip a coin and choose a player per season to decree them The Saviour and although it’s almost always Stephen Larkham (sigh...), this season it was Stirling.
Yes, he has had a good 2006 season after a not that hot 2005 one. Yes, he actually played all tests this year and yes, his goal kicking tally is getting better (but he really must do something about his pre-kick stance..the pursed lips, the little wiggle...too Jonny Wilkinson for my liking) BUT the man is unfortunately rather breakable and this is why I have my doubts as to his stamina as Captain.
As of Thursday November 2nd, George Smith will be 74th (or 75th?) Captain of The Wallabies. Just for one match. Splendid choice.
Don’t mess with Cap’n Dreadlocks. The man’s got the ‘mongrel’ factor. And he’s a Forward.
I don’t think Stirling Mortlock is a strong choice for Captain of the Wallabies when (and if) George Gregan retires. Or gets dethroned.
Gregan by the way is being “rested” from this tour. Yeah. Rested. What does that sound like to you??
I know I’m biased but I really do believe that Forwards should be the Captains. Always. (Think Phil Kearns and...all bow in unison now...John Eales*.)
Jeremy Paul, I think would be a great captain. Unfortunately JP is skipping the Spring Tour because of a finger injury.
Yes it was embarrassing writing that.
He’s a hooker (non-rugby readers...this is not what you think) so he needs all his digits. And finger injuries are a big deal alright...just read this.
I suppose Nathan Sharpe may be a choice and he’s been Captain before but he’s a bit of a hot-head. Al Baxter?...hmm...no. Phil Waugh? Too quiet.
Sigh...we’ve got to move Back...and really, if Gregan goes, there’s no choice here.
Of course I think Stephen Larkham should be Captain but as he has categorically stated, he has no wish to be. Besides he’s already got too much to do.
And yes, he too is physically fragile but the man is a speedball...bounces back every time....and he’s brilliant.
Let’s not even debate this, even when he’s doing wrong...the man can do no wrong.
So it’s Gregan. It’s got to be Gregan. Vive Le Gregan.
Gregan may not have the Nobody’s Perfect* factor and he may not be everybody’s perfect Captain but he has proven his longevity and he just keeps proving his nay-sayers wrong. He’s still got a lot of grunt to give.
Going in to Rugby World Cup ’07, Gregan is really the only choice...as scrumhalf and as Captain.
Who do you think should be the next Wallaby Captain?
*John Eales - Wallaby Captain '96-'01, Legend also known as 'Nobody'...because Nobody's perfect....
This always happens. Sure he has his moments of brilliance, usually accompanied with or followed by his Superman thing...you know...
“I’m gonna fly with this ball across the tryline and ground that sucker...and injure myself in the process”.
Great photo op though.
Mortlock hurt his knee during the last All Blacks match (I don’t want to talk about it) and had surgery in September, sidelining him for 6 weeks...which is why he won’t be there for the first test against Wales (AEST 01:30am 05/11) for the Wallabies Spring Tour.
However, he hopes to be fit to play and fit to lead the Wallabies for the second test against Italy (AEST 01:00am 12/11).
Well, I hope so too... just as long as he doesn’t go flying through the air with the weakest of knees...
I mean no disrespect.
He is Captain of the ACT Brumbies and the ACT Brumbies have my vote for Government.
And I am not attacking his personality because he seems a really nice guy, humble and witty and chivalrous and articulate and all the other stuff that rugby players are made of.
His teammates will all say that he’s a man of (groan) sterling character, a great player, a great team mate, a great motivator, a great Brumbies captain...and rugby media flip a coin and choose a player per season to decree them The Saviour and although it’s almost always Stephen Larkham (sigh...), this season it was Stirling.
Yes, he has had a good 2006 season after a not that hot 2005 one. Yes, he actually played all tests this year and yes, his goal kicking tally is getting better (but he really must do something about his pre-kick stance..the pursed lips, the little wiggle...too Jonny Wilkinson for my liking) BUT the man is unfortunately rather breakable and this is why I have my doubts as to his stamina as Captain.
As of Thursday November 2nd, George Smith will be 74th (or 75th?) Captain of The Wallabies. Just for one match. Splendid choice.
Don’t mess with Cap’n Dreadlocks. The man’s got the ‘mongrel’ factor. And he’s a Forward.
I don’t think Stirling Mortlock is a strong choice for Captain of the Wallabies when (and if) George Gregan retires. Or gets dethroned.
Gregan by the way is being “rested” from this tour. Yeah. Rested. What does that sound like to you??
I know I’m biased but I really do believe that Forwards should be the Captains. Always. (Think Phil Kearns and...all bow in unison now...John Eales*.)
Jeremy Paul, I think would be a great captain. Unfortunately JP is skipping the Spring Tour because of a finger injury.
Yes it was embarrassing writing that.
He’s a hooker (non-rugby readers...this is not what you think) so he needs all his digits. And finger injuries are a big deal alright...just read this.
I suppose Nathan Sharpe may be a choice and he’s been Captain before but he’s a bit of a hot-head. Al Baxter?...hmm...no. Phil Waugh? Too quiet.
Sigh...we’ve got to move Back...and really, if Gregan goes, there’s no choice here.
Of course I think Stephen Larkham should be Captain but as he has categorically stated, he has no wish to be. Besides he’s already got too much to do.
And yes, he too is physically fragile but the man is a speedball...bounces back every time....and he’s brilliant.
Let’s not even debate this, even when he’s doing wrong...the man can do no wrong.
So it’s Gregan. It’s got to be Gregan. Vive Le Gregan.
Gregan may not have the Nobody’s Perfect* factor and he may not be everybody’s perfect Captain but he has proven his longevity and he just keeps proving his nay-sayers wrong. He’s still got a lot of grunt to give.
Going in to Rugby World Cup ’07, Gregan is really the only choice...as scrumhalf and as Captain.
Who do you think should be the next Wallaby Captain?
*John Eales - Wallaby Captain '96-'01, Legend also known as 'Nobody'...because Nobody's perfect....
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
You're a genius.
Could we clone Stephen Larkham as well?...please... yum...oh my Lord, mind going haywire....
Thanks for re-visiting
DuskDevi
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Wrong info. Twas not me, twas the moronic rugby male media...
George Smith will make his captaincy debut as Captain of Australia A... NOT The Wallabies...the 2006 Spring Tour opener between Australia A and Ospreys at Swansea's Liberty Stadium in Wales on Wednesday night (Thursday morning AEDT).
From www.sportal.com.au
"Smith will lead an Australian team that includes Mark Gerrard debuting at flyhalf, Gerrard to lend the skipper support as vice-captain for the match that begins a seven-match Spring Tour campaign for the Wallabies.
Coach John Connolly said he anticipated solid individual performances on Wednesday as the players compete for places in the Test team, which has its opening match against Wales scheduled for Saturday at Millennium Stadium.
"A number of players will be using the Ospreys match as an opportunity to push for a place in the test team for the rest of the Tour," he said."
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
But Just leaving my paw print to let you know I passed this way...
Hope you don't mind, it's in the interests of prosperity, after all... *wink*
as you were....
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
And...serendipity again...
I'm in the middle of writing a new non-rugby post, inspired by you!
Will keep you posted (groan).
DuskDevi
Comment by Les
Rightback
Anyway I'm just a biased league fan. But if Joey took up a contract I know the Rugby faithful would rub their hands with glee and promote him to captain immediately.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
You may need to get a bigger spoon...but still,
none exists to stir me up and make me jump over the moon...
Rugby Faithful do not rub their hands with glee.
We use soap.
Thanks for visiting Les.
DuskDevi
Comment by Les
Rightback