Tri-Nations - Mortlock out of All Blacks clash

Eurosport - Wed, 23 Jul 08:55:00 2008

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock is out of Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand after failing to recover from a head knock suffered in the win over South Africa.

RUGBY 2006 Australie Stirling Mortlock - 0

Mortlock (pictured) sustained the injury in the second half of the 16-9 victory over South Africa last weekend and has not recovered quickly enough to play against the All Blacks.

Australia will name their team on Wednesday for the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, with flanker George Smith set to take over from Mortlock as captain.

"Stirling was concussed last weekend," Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.

"We had hoped that, with time, the symptoms would resolve themselves, but that hasn't happened soon enough for this match, so we've made the call early."

Replacement back Ryan Cross, who took over from Mortlock at outside centre against South Africa, will probably come into the side, leaving space on the bench for former rugby league international Timana Tahu.

Reuters

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  1. This is bad news for the Wallabies, I had fancied our chances against the kiwis, without Mortlockit could be a tough day at the 'office' never mind, at least we sent the 'yarpies' packing, let's hope they end up with the 'wooden spoon', take it easy,John Castledine

    From jcastledineruiz, on Wed 23 Jul 2:59AM
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