Image:Stirling Mortlock: Calling time on rugby career
Former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock will retire at the end of the regular season of the Super 15 series next month.
Former Aussie skipper announces retirement date
Former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock will retire at the end of the regular season of the Super 15 series next month.
The 35-year-old, who has battled calf problems this term, will play his last game in Australia when he leads the Rebels against defending champions Queensland Reds in Melbourne on 29 June.
But will end his playing career in South Africa next month where the Rebels, out of the reckoning for the playoffs, have their last two matches.
"There's no secret I still love what I do and still love playing. It's more about my body," Mortlock said.
"Being on the sidelines for nine of 10 weeks this season was extremely frustrating and tough. My body is back in the shape I want it to be but I think it is the right time (to retire)."
Mortlock played 80 Tests for the Wallabies, 29 as captain, and amassed 489 points to become their fourth-highest points-scorer.
He is best perhaps remembered for his 80m intercept try that steered the Wallabies to a shock semi-final win over the All Blacks in the 2003 World Cup in Sydney.
Mortlock led the Wallabies at the 2007 World Cup where Australia were knocked out in the quarter-finals by England in Marseilles.
