" Australian Times - News for Aussies Living in London
 
28 October 2008
Email a friend    Email the editor












Click to read more about the latest issue of the Australian Times...more











Time to earn the respect




Aussies lose third test

Stoner looks ahead

Kangaroos crush Kiwis

Goggin soars to third

Aussies receive ODI shield

Numerous Wallabies in bandages

Star jockey may lose ride

The Reds have landed

Pumas to enter Tri Nations

Melbourne for blockbuster match

Stirling Mortlock says the Wallabies' upcoming six-match spring tour is a chance to win back the respect of northern-hemisphere nations following their inglorious exit from the 2007 World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

The European leg of the trip includes Tests against Italy, England, France and Wales followed by a date with the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium.Having come within four points of claiming the Tri-Nations trophy against the Kiwis last month the Wallabies have made definite strides under new coach Robbie Deans' tutelage.

But the veteran skipper knows there is still work to be done before the likes of England and Les Bleus again fear the men in gold. ""As a group we've spoken about trying to earn respect, over the last period of time it's been all about working hard within the group,"" Mortlock said.

""And I guess as we go on to playing games hopefully that will earn respect from our opposition."" Before the Wallabies turn their attentions to re-building their standing up north, they have the small matter of a historic Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks in Hong Kong on Saturday to take care of.

And Mortlock knows beating a match-hardened Kiwis outfit fresh from their involvement in the Air New Zealand Cup won't be easy.""Nothing beats match fitness and being match hardened so certainly that's an advantage for the All Blacks,"" he said. ""Having said that, we've trained really hard and I think we're all confident that our fitness levels have improved but we won't have that match fitness to back it up.""
While confident they've done the work Mortlock admits there is still an element of uncertainty heading into the clash but is certain the so-called dead-rubber Test will be a heated affair.

""I think both teams will be going to Hong Kong with the intent of I guess trying to claim that ground,"" he said.
""It's unique the first Bledisloe (Cup clash) to be played outside of Australia or New Zealand so I think both teams will be up.""The full 34-man squad including injured quartet Lote Tuqiri (knee), Wycliff Palu (knee), Hugh McMeniman (ankle) and Peter Kimlin (thigh), departed Sydney on Monday morning.

A decision is yet to be made on their availability for the tour opener but all four are considered unlikely to feature against Graham Henry's men. In other Wallaby news, Fresh-faced rookie James O'Connor has vowed to make the most of his Spring Tour experience regardless of whether he earns his first Test cap.
The 18-year-old utility back did enough in just four Super 14 appearances with the Western Force this season to earn a place in the 34-man touring party.

And while he admitted to some pre-flight jitters at Sydney Airport on Monday morning, the confident teenager declared himself ready to answer the call if required.""It's just hit me now and I'm just excited to get over, I'm a bit nervous but just want to get over there and have some fun,"" O'Connor said. ""I'm in the best physical condition I've been at the moment, most of the camps have been fitness based … (I'm) settling in with the boys better and the team's looking pretty sharp so it should be a good Test.""

But O'Connor, who will become the second-youngest player to earn Test selection in Wallabies history if called upon for any of the six scheduled matches, is willing to wait his turn. ""I just want to learn from the boys and get some experience, it would be good if I get some game time but I'm not expecting anything,"" he said. As the most junior member of the touring party O'Connor will have more than just the prospect of a Test match debut to worry about as the official guardian of Wally the team mascot.

""I've heard a few of the stories, I was rooming with Berrick (Barnes) this last camp so he's told me how they try to stitch you up all the time,"" O'Connor said of his team-mates' likely attempts to sabotage his new companion. ""But I'll have him close to me at all times."" www.sportal.com.au


 




Fill in your details below to receive the Australian Times' breaking news service:
Name:  Email:  * *  

If you would like to receive offers and communications from carefully vetted and relevant companies that could be of interest to you please tick the box.

>"" class=""btn blue"" name=""Submit"" onclick=""document.location.href='http://www.careerbuilder.co.uk/Plink/Redirect/JobResults.aspx?keywords='+ document.getElementById('keywords2').value+'&location='+document.getElementById('location').value+'&lr=int_ukaustimes&siteid=int_ukaustimesuk003';""/>





















 
Home | News | Sport | London Life | Travel | Events | Directory | Subscribe | Distribution | Advertise | About Us | Contact Us | Photo Gallery | Site by Bluegrass