Mortlock confident of being fit
July 17, 2002

ACT Brumbies winger Stirling Mortlock believes he will be fit for Saturday week's Tri-Nations clash with South Africa in Brisbane after saying his shoulder injury is healing well.

Mortlock, who was injured in the first half of the series-opening loss to New Zealand last Saturday, will visit Wallaby medical staff tomorrow to get the exact diagnosis on how his recovery is progressing.

"It felt like a totally different shoulder injury to what I had done before so I was a bit worried during the game and it was sore the next day," Mortlock said.


"But it's been getting less painful each day and my movement is coming back and the strength is almost there again.

"It feels more like bruising now but I'll still check with the doctor tomorrow.

"Everything going well, I should be right to play by next weekend."

The news of Mortlock's recovery could be bad news for former league international Wendell Sailor who could miss out if selectors stick with the squad which fell 12-6 to the All Blacks in Christchurch.

Mortlock and Ben Tune are Australia's first-choice wingers but Sailor has also been included in an expanded Wallaby 24 man squad, which will be cut back to 22, leaving some hope that he could play before a sell-out crowd at the Gabba.

With Tune sidelined by injury last month, Sailor played two Tests against France to cap an encouraging debut season since quitting rugby league with the Brisbane Broncos last year.

The three wingers will return to Coffs Harbour with the Wallaby squad on Thursday to begin preparations for their must-win Brisbane match.

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