Stirling Mortlock played his final game on Australian soil on the weekend, as the 35 year old Wallaby legend will be hanging up his boots at the end of this season. Here’s a great look back at an incredible career that has spanned nearly 15 years.
The Rugby Club in Australia included a quick bit about Mortlock retiring in their Plays of the Week segment last week, but this is a much more in depth look at the great man’s career, which started way back in 1998 with a famous Brumbies team.
At times plagued with injury however, Mortlock’s passion was often his own worst enemy as he threw everything into every moment he was out on the park.
When asked by Nick McArdle what he would have liked to have known 15 years ago that he knows now, he said that he would have liked to have known not to push so hard, that he didn’t have to go flat out all the time.
Playing like that however earned him the honour of becoming the fastest Australian to reach both 50 and 100 points, and the first Australian to score 20 or more points in four consecutive Tests. He went on to score over 1000 Super Rugby points, and just short of 500 in Tests.
His final home match was anything but a fairytale, but he still has a chance to leave his mark on the history books as he will now travel to South Africa with the Rebels, providing his calf stays strong.
“I have enjoyed every moment of it. It’s been fantastic and there are so many people that have helped me get here,” he said about his final match, and no doubt his career in general.
Have a browse through the related posts below the video, which feature a whole bunch of big tackles and great moments from the great man in action.
Credit: Thanks to Fox Sports for the great segment
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