Mortlock displays impeccable timing

By DAVID LEGGAT

A fortnight ago, Stirling Mortlock was a forlorn figure in the Wallaby camp.

Just back after a lengthy layoff for a shoulder reconstruction, it seemed time and the selectors were against his dream of helping Australia to defend the cup.

Matt Burke had the inside running at centre. When Mortlock did get a run, against lowly Namibia, and needing as much game time as possible, he was replaced well before the end.

Then Burke was back in favour for the important final pool game against Ireland. The die, it seemed, had been cast.

But coach Eddie Jones had faith in the strong-running Brumbies player and it was repaid in full at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night.

Not only did Mortlock capitalise on Carlos Spencer's over-ambitious cut-out pass to sprint 80 metres to score Australia's only try, but he constantly troubled the All Black defensive line, punching his way through to set up a string of half chances for other backs.

He showed what he could do against Scotland in the quarter-final, bursting between two defenders to score a 50-metre solo try, and it's possible to put up a convincing argument that his long layoff has done him, and the Wallabies, a big favour.

The break has given him a freshness in his step and it was too much for the All Blacks' defence, shorn as it was of their most effective, muscular defender, Tana Umaga.

The 26-year-old Mortlock conceded it had been a trying period in his career.

"It's been a tough journey. When I didn't get selected, obviously I was disappointed. I wanted my chance and I'm certainly happy to be in the team," he said.

So should all of Australia, judged on what he brought to the team on Saturday.

"What impressed me most, when he was left out initially, we knew how disappointed he was. He was absolutely filthy about it and he's worked hard to get back in," Jones said.

"Tonight, he showed the running skills that make him such a good player.

"He really hit the line hard and got through the defence. It was a really good performance and it's taken some hard work and determination to get back."

Mortlock reckoned it was his first intercept try, so you can't fault his sense of timing on all counts.

"It was a bit of luck I guess. Typically they make a lot of plays out wide. I happened to pick it - right time, right game," he said self-effacingly.

The Wallabies defended superbly. The line occasionally bent, but only broke once when Stephen Larkham made his sole mistake, losing the ball trying to run out of the Australian 22, and Spencer weaved and stepped through to set up Reuben Thorne.

"Our forwards defended so well. They stopped the All Blacks' go-forward, hence their backline had less opportunities to attack," Mortlock said.

"As a backline we defended quite well and most of the opportunities they had we shut them down."

No doubt it was to the All Black management's great regret that the one player who could have squared up to Mortlock head-on was sitting in the stand.

Mortlock's injury cleared up in time for him to play a decisive role in the semifinal. Umaga's did not. As Mortlock might have said, it's all a matter of timing.