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Mortlock re-signs with ARU
By Jim Morton
February 28, 2008 AUSTRALIA captain Stirling Mortlock has turned his back on a massive Japanese offer to re-sign with the Australian Rugby Union and Brumbies for the next two years.
It's understood Mortlock signed a new deal on Wednesday, which will keep him in Australia until the end of 2010.
The major signing, which ensures the powerful centre will play for at least three seasons under new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, is set to be announced in Sydney this afternoon.
It was feared Mortlock would be lost to Japan in the face of a reportedly astronomical offer which came months after he skippered the Wallabies to the quarter-finals at the 2007 World Cup.
But it's believed the ARU produced a significant contract package to keep the father of three, who is currently recovering from shoulder surgery.
The 30-year-old took over the Australia captaincy from George Gregan at the end of 2006 and matured in the role last year when he was the star of the Wallabies' Tri-Nations campaign.
Mortlock was keen to speak to the newly-appointed Deans, the first foreigner to coach Australia, before he decided upon his future.
His re-signing is also a massive boost for the Brumbies who are undergoing transitional change following the departures of several veterans including Gregan, Stephen Larkham and Jeremy Paul.
Captain Mortlock is scheduled to return to action in five to six weeks for the injury-riddled Brumbies the Super 14.
AAP