Mortlock is free to be a Rebel: Fagan
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February 23, 2010
BRUMBIES chief executive Andrew Fagan yesterday declared that the Super 14 powerhouse would not stand in the way of former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock becoming a marquee signing for the Melbourne Rebels after domestic anti-poaching restrictions were relaxed by the Australian Rugby Union.
The ARU board yesterday announced that the Rebels and the four existing Australian Super rugby teams would be free from March 15 to sign and announce players recruited from domestic rivals.
The Rebels, which will enter the expanded Super 15 competition next year, had not been allowed to sign players contracted to Australia's four existing franchises before June 1, while Queensland, NSW, Brumbies and Western Force were able to re-sign their own players who were coming off contract.
Mortlock is reportedly among a group of players that head a hit list for the Rod Macqueen-led Rebels and Fagan said a move to Melbourne by the off-contract Mortlock, who is currently in South Africa with the Brumbies, ''could be a good fit'' for all parties.
''In terms of where Stirling's at in his career we appreciate he may present greater value to the Rebels than he does for us from both his perspective and that of the clubs, so if that's something he looks at doing I don't think we'll stand in his way,'' Fagan said.
''We'll have that chat with Stirling and see where his head's at and if that's the way he wishes to prolong his career in Australia then that's good and we'll have that discussion when he's back.''
Rebels chief executive Brian Waldron put to ARU chief executive John O'Neill last week that the restriction disadvantaged the Rebels' recruitment hopes, and subsequent ability to attract investors, who have been waiting to see the team that was assembled before committing.
Melbourne has so far only one player on its roster - former England five-eighth Danny Cipriani who was signed last week.
Waldron said yesterday he was pleased with the outcome.
''It''s been a good result,'' Waldron said. ''… I think March 15 is very fair. It gives existing provinces the next three weeks to work with the players who are already in their midst and they have under their control at the moment and it allows us from March through to February, 11 months, to get our model out there and to get the brand of the Rebels and the playing roster well and truly known to the Melbourne and wider community in order to raise the funds.''
The Rebels' wish-list reportedly includes Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, David Pocock, Peter Hynes and Benn Robinson and they have expressed interest in former NRL star Mark Gasnier.
Fagan said he was disappointed with the deadline change which would disrupt teams by contract talks with players early in the season.
http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union...0222-ortj.html
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