News

Mortlock backs ARU selection stance

September 29 2008

Stirling Mortlock has backed the Australian Rugby Union's stance that only players based in Australia are eligible for Wallaby selection.

Mortlock's comments come as yet another Rugby League player, Mark Gasnier, is making a name for himself at Stade Français - not that the Wallaby captain ever doubted Gasnier in the 15-a-side code.

Gasnier, starting on the wing in his union debut, scored a try in Stade Français' 32-25 win over Bourgoin.

And when Mortlock was asked for his views on the ARU rules, he was quick to say he was happy with them at the moment.

"My thoughts on that is that we've got to do everything in our power to make sure that Australian rugby is really strong and it starts with developing the players domestically at club level and provincial level and then trying to get as strong a Wallaby side as possible," Mortlock told Fox Sports.

"To do that I think, the mechanism that seems to be the most positive is having players chosen that are playing in Australia."

Mortlock, and team-mate Lote Tuqiri - Australia's most successful cross-code player - have both given their backing to Gasnier.

"He is a quality player and I've got no doubts if he keeps on working, he can go well," Mortlock said.

Tuqiri, who has accumulated 66 Test caps since moving over from rugby league, believed Gasnier had the attributes needed to succeed.

"He's a freak athlete, he's a freak player he can beat a tackle, he can swerve, he's got a great step, he's got speed, they are all ingredients to be a good rugby player as well as a good league player," Tuqiri said.

"He's just got to get used to how you train and body height and positioning and positioning on the field and that will only take him a month or a couple to get used to it.

"He's done well with Ewen being coach, having an English speaking coach which is probably really good and smart for him."

Looking ahead, Mortlock revealed his excitement for the upcoming Wallabies tour, which will see them play New Zealand in Hong Kong before heading for Europe.

"We would have liked to have got a result in our last match (the Tri-Nations decider against New Zealand), it wasn't to be, but I think nonetheless that's probably instilled a little bit of resolve amongst this group to hopefully have a really positive tour," Mortlock said.

"We've got four uncapped players coming into the group a few of the guys that weren't in the 30 for the last Test match come back in, it's very exciting.

"A lot of young guys are going extremely well so far this season and it's going to be a great test for them and for us as a group."