Mortlock has his Cross to bear

[travelling_gerry]

Mortlock has his Cross to bear

August 2, 2008 - 6:27AM


Returning Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock is feeling the heat after league convert Ryan Cross played a starring role in Australia's win during last weekend's Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.

Former Sydney Rooster Cross replaced his captain, who sat out Australia's 34-19 victory with concussion, and scored the first of the Wallabies' four tries in his run-on debut.

And 31-year-old Mortlock has admitted he doesn't consider his own selection at outside centre a fait accompli.

"There's a bit of pressure, Ryan Cross played an outstanding game last weekend," Mortlock said.

"We've always had a squad of 30 mentality and all 30 guys are really pitching in to our efforts, so I've got to make sure I perform this weekend, that's for sure."

If Western Force star Cross' presence isn't enough, rapidly improving former Kangaroo superstar Timana Tahu, who briefly became a dual international last weekend off the Wallabies bench, is breathing down both players' necks.

Mortlock said the situation was symptomatic of the Wallabies' confident mindset after five wins - including over world champions South Africa and powerhouse New Zealand - since Robbie Deans took the helm in June.

"The mindset is to bring everything we can to our performance and that's what everyone's been doing, whether they've been playing for 50 Test matches or this is their first few Test matches," Mortlock said.

"Guys have been bringing whatever they can to the performance of the team and that's the mindset.

"If you do that then hopefully that will contribute to a positive result."
Deans said the Wallabies had been able to add improvements to their game each week without dropping off in other areas.

"You just work hard and toil away adding to what you do, try and retain what you've built," he said.

"That's been great in terms of how we've added things but retained them.
"These guys have a great work ethic, great passion for what they do and they're sharp, they're quick on the uptake, and the fact that we haven't had those undulations has been really encouraging but also a necessity."

Winger Lote Tuqiri put the consistent steps forward down to genuine mateship among the squad.

"It's slowly been gradual, that belief ... and that's what's been really good about this group, it's pretty tight and we've been spending a lot of time with each other and everybody pretty much gets on," he said.

"I know you say that in pretty much every team but we're pretty tight and I think that's gone a long way to making us perform well for each other on the field."


© 2008 AAP



http://news.rugbyheaven.com.au/sport...0802-3oqw.html

[lara93]

i think crossy played really well and i wish he was run on today but o well

[blueandblack]

he may do at some point.