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Last Updated: Jul 24, 2007 - 2:58:26 PM |
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''.
"Stirling embraced the captaincy role during the Tri-Nations and really led from the front with his performances on the field,'' said Connolly.
"He's a player that the other players enjoy playing with and his leadership has grown immensely during the season.
"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.''
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 succumbs 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.
"He played quite well at times last year and that held him in good stead and we spoke to him and he said he was very disappointed with the way he played this year for various reasons,'' Connolly said.
Team: Full backs: Chris Latham, Julian Huxley. Wings: Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Mark Gerrard. Centres: Stirling Mortlock (captain), Scott Staniforth, Matt Giteau. Five-eighths: Berrick Barnes, Stephen Larkham. Halfbacks: George Gregan (v-c), Sam Cordingley.
No.8s: Wycliff Palu, David Lyons, Stephen Holies. Flankers: George Smith, Phil Waugh (v-c), Rocky Epsom, Hugh McMeniman. Locks: Dan Vic Kerman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm. Props: Guy Shepherd son, Al Baxter, Matt Dunning, Greg Holmes. Hookers: Stephen Moore, Adam Freer, Sean Hardman.
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