Mortlock for Aussie Fullback!

[Wazimba2K]

Yay! :yay

The Super 14 Tournament normally divides us Aussie fans into 4 Wallaby selection groups. Most Brumbies,Reds, Waratahs and W-Force fans might suggest at least 10 first 15 Wallabies if they were the Selectors from their Favorite respective S-14 teams. Soon we shall be sharing this fantasy selection with Rebel fans.

Mortlock was our priced possesion at one time and he still has flashes of flare like when he tackled Riki Flutey, Sonny Bill and Tony Woodcock! His rush defense is a reason why most opposing teams do not prefer to attack his channel. Regardless of his missed tackles stats, he is a solid tackler. His offensive line breaks are more successful than Carter because of his size which makes him commit more than one tackler if not power through!

Does anyone in this forum have a good reason why we can't move him to Fullback?
I am a staunch Brumbies supporter but Adam Ashley Cooper is not a natural 15. He belongs to the bench; He is Mr. Fix it. He makes the Coach's job easier to trim 34 players to Match day 22. Here are my reasons:

1.His left tackle is poor! Most wingers have realized he can't tackle too well on his inside left. Personally after playing rugby for 4 years, I can tackle better on my writing hand side. Double check your own stats b4 u reply to this thread.

2.His famous hand-off mostly if not always is on the right hand side. He has a dead left hand at times and passes poorly at times from the left to the right. Watch the You-tube videos again before you criticize me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeOX_TSjRfs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6HMVDlUa40&feature=related at 0:06 & 0:52

3.His kick return is not too favorable. Check the Brumbies match day stats and see what we see.

4.He was a winger before he got displaced by McCabe and Fainifo and he only secured his Jersey through Mark Gerrard's departure. Gerrard was the Brumbies 15 who even got Matt Burke's and Latham's vote to be the next 15.

All these kids:Carter, Lealiifano, To'omua, Quade, JOC (James O'Connor),Tyrone Smith and Horne will have matured enough to take the Wallaby helm by the horns.
They are our future after the RWC 2011. Move Mortlock to 15 and Ioane to 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to the bench! After his departure, Brumbies will be the freaking team. I hope Giteau leaves too. I would prefer To'omua at 10, Fainifo at 11, Lealiifano at 12, Tyrone at 13, McCabe at 14 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 15!

Any objections bitches? O0

 

[Reddy!]

Yes, didn't bother reading all of what you had to say, but Mortlock has no chance of playing 15 for the Brumbies or Wallabies...has he ever played fullback in his life?

Mortlock was in average form last year for the Brumbies and Wallabies, did not play in the EOYT, and is in average form this season and now he is injured. He knocks the ball on way too often and is increasingly becoming slower. Love the guy and his contribution to Aussie rugby but I think there are better options running around.

Sure he is a good leader, but so is Turinui, and I don't hear many calls for him being the Wallabies outside centre let alone fullback.

 

[DPK]

I think Mortlock may have had a few chances at fullback early on, i dont have any stats at hand though.

 

[liquor box]

my only reason for AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) staying in a starting team is that last international season he was the only player who continued with leg drive after the initial contact. This is whay he was such a stand out.

Stirling used to do this and if it returned than by all means give him a spot, but I fear he will struggle to make it into a Wallaby team this year, he is on a decline

 

[Ruggo]

Old morty is on the down hill run mate. I hope he finds some form and bows out of the game with the class he deserves. Morty doesn't have he pace to be a 15. In an off field role i think he has a lot more to contribute to the Wallabies as a mentor to the younger blokes.

Hynes is my favorate for the Wallaby 15. He is so good under pressure. Digby is the 13 for the future.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

During the Reds/Force game I asked my son who else in the country is playing better to warrant a spot in the Wobblies backs ahead of the Qldrs.
Answer - unanimous - none.
Just pick the Qld backs and be done with it. (yes I, rugbywhisperer said that). Maybe AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 15.

For me, Morty has played his last test. Time for the team and Morty to move on. Let's not do a Gregan.

 

[cyclopath]

Errr, no.
Too slow. Not familiar with it positionally. Out of hand kicking hardly ever seen.
I'm as keen as anyone to see AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13, but this isn't the way to expedite that process.
And RW, I'm not sure Morahan quite deserves a Wallabies jersey just yet. There may be other doubtfuls too. As a unit though, they are well ahead of any other Aus province. (Yes, I cyclopath concede that)

 

[disco]

Stirling won't be a Wallaby this year. I love Mortlock he was our best back for many years but to pick him at OC or any other position would be going backwards.

He should retire at the end of the super14 season.

 

[Epi]

Errr, no.
Too slow. Not familiar with it positionally. Out of hand kicking hardly ever seen.
I'm as keen as anyone to see AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13, but this isn't the way to expedite that process.
And RW, I'm not sure Morahan quite deserves a Wallabies jersey just yet. There may be other doubtfuls too. As a unit though, they are well ahead of any other Aus province. (Yes, I cyclopath concede that)

You would have AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in front of Diggers at 13? I wouldn't.

 

[cyclopath]

Errr, no.
Too slow. Not familiar with it positionally. Out of hand kicking hardly ever seen.
I'm as keen as anyone to see AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13, but this isn't the way to expedite that process.
And RW, I'm not sure Morahan quite deserves a Wallabies jersey just yet. There may be other doubtfuls too. As a unit though, they are well ahead of any other Aus province. (Yes, I cyclopath concede that)

You would have AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in front of Diggers at 13? I wouldn't.

No, not necessarily. They're both good. I like Digby at 13 for Qld, but at Test level might be different, mainly due to the defensive patterns - as Lee pointed out he tackles well one on one but might be a bit at sea with the patterns. Maybe not. I think he is a better winger with roving commission to pop up wherever.
I just think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is potentially a really good 13, rather than a good-ish 15.
Oh, and Digby has broken a bit in the past, but I wouldn't really hold that against him. They'd both be in my 22, indeed 15.

 

[Epi]

It would all be easier if we had a clear-cut world class fullback like we had for so many years...

 

[cyclopath]

It would all be easier if we had a clear-cut world class fullback like we had for so many years...

Indeed. Old matches on Fox recently with C Latham in his prime have been some choice viewing.

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah Morty played a fair bit of fullback for the Brumbies early on. was why I think he ended up debuting as a winger.

But as for now? You're whole argument seems to be that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) isn't good enough for fullback.

Sure that may be, now give us some reasons why Morty would be a good fullback? Personally, I think he's too slow with 0 counter attacking ability which is so important in the current game.

 

[spectator]

Stirling Mortlock has been a wonderful servant of OZ rugby and desrves to exit with his reputation intact. He should not be considered in any position for 2011.

 

[James Buchanan]

Another Wazimba2k classic.

 

[Biffo]

W2K, where do you get that stuff? I want some of it.

 

[rsea]

W2K - Well put argument but I have to agree with the others about his Wallaby chances.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has all the base qualities required of a 15. He's our best under the high ball and a potent attacker. You mentioned he's a great utility but IMO this is what coaches call players they've failed to properly shape. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) should be left at FB or transitioned this S14 season back into 13 for the WC.

 

[Lindommer]

During the Reds/Force game I asked my son who else in the country is playing better to warrant a spot in the Wobblies backs ahead of the Qldrs.
Answer - unanimous - none.

Wait til the Tahs have a training run against the Force before we go there, whispers.

 

[Scotty]

yeah Morty played a fair bit of fullback for the Brumbies early on. was why I think he ended up debuting as a winger.

But as for now? You're whole argument seems to be that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) isn't good enough for fullback.

Sure that may be, now give us some reasons why Morty would be a good fullback? Personally, I think he's too slow with 0 counter attacking ability which is so important in the current game.

The brumbies would be better off trialling the underperforming Giteau at 15 and bringing either Smith or To'omua in the starting line up. Giteau has the skills to be a very good counter attacking fullback, Mortlock doesn't.

 

[Henry]

He can't kick and he's too slow. Basic.