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The dark side of sport
The world of sport is not always celebrated. Controversies often plunge the games into darkness.
Bulls the worst champs?
The Bulls are the reigning Super 14 champions. But they are in danger of imploding in 2008.Mortlock the architect
Posted Wed, 18 Jul 2007
Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock was the architect of the winning score the last time Australia played New Zealand, scorching past Luke McAlister at outside centre to send replacement Scott Staniforth away under the poles.
This Saturday might be a little different... whereas Mortlock was able to exploit McAlister's inexperience in the number thirteen channel last time — a notoriously hard position to defend — Mortlock faces Isaia Toeava this time, a much more rounded player in the position.
"It was a unique situation in Melbourne," said Mortlock to The Australian. "He hadn't played much football at thirteen and thirteen defensively is quite a unique situation compared to twelve.
"We were very lucky we got an opportunity to take advantage of that a couple of times. Twelve is where he [McAlister] plays most of his football.
"He is a great player and he offers a lot to the All Blacks and he will no doubt be looking for a massive game against us."
But Toeava presents a different challenge, having spent much of his senior career in the No.13 jersey.
"Toeava is a great talent. It was freakish some of the stuff he did this year in the Super 14," lauded Mortlock.
"Defensively, he's pretty solid. I don't see as many opportunities defensively from this backline as the backline we faced in Melbourne.
"I'll do a fair bit of analysis on him over the next few days. I've got a lot of respect for him. That being said, he hasn't played a lot of football at this level and in particular Bledisloe Cup matches. There will be a huge amount of pressure and intensity in this match."
Mortlock also thinks that the consistency currently prevailing in the Wallaby selections might hand them an advantage, as Graham Henry continues to try and find the perfect blend.
"We've had a pretty solid continuity as a team," he said.
"The combinations have been there consistently throughout the Tri-Nations and we are going over there with the best intentions of playing well. If we do that, we are confident we can get a result.
"On the flipside, New Zealand, it's a bit of a disadvantage the fact they've got so many quality players putting up their hands to be selected.
"Their combinations have been chopped and changed in most Test matches and we are seeing a little bit less fluency in the team in attack in particular."
365
