Super 14
Mortlock joins Melbourne rebellion
Scrum.com
March 31, 2010
Brumbies centre Stirling Mortlock, Force v Brumbies, Super 14, ME Stadium, February 12, 2010
Stirling Mortlock is hoping to turn heads in the Melbourne market © Getty Images
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Stirling Mortlock has signed a three-year deal with the Melbourne Rebels in a move that will likely see him used as the promotional face of the Super 15 expansion franchise.

Brumbies and Wallabies centre Mortlock has struggled with injuries in recent times, but he'll be hoping a move down south will help ignite his chances of remaining in Robbie Deans' plans ahead of the 2011 World Cup next year.

Meanwhile, Rebels officials will see Mortlock, one of the biggest household names still in action in Australian rugby, as the ideal marketing tool to crack the congested Melbourne sporting market. Mortlock won't be given the captaincy, but he will be expected to conduct leadership duties for what will likely be a young squad.

Rebels coach Rod Macqueen first launched Mortlock into the international arena around a decade ago when he was leading Australia, and that after he had selected Mortlock for the first time as Brumbies boss.

Macqueen said the signing was a coup for the club given the overseas interest for Mortlock, and that his role may change towards an off-field focus if 32-year-old Mortlock's body started to slow down later in his stint.

"I actually was the person who signed Stirling to the Brumbies and the Wallabies, so this is the third time round," Macqueen told Australia's ABC. "I'm really looking forward to it, I think he's done a fantastic job for the Brumbies as have the Brumbies for him. But instead of going overseas and seeing out his career there, he'll see it out in Melbourne.

"In the third year, he might be in another capacity within the organisation at that stage. He brings with him a lot of expertise and he'll be a great acquisition for the side. It's also a good start for him to get into business and life after rugby. It just depends on how he goes; the main thing for us is that he's playing really well. It'll be great if we get three years out of him but if we don't from that perspective he'll have another role to play."

Brian Waldron, Rebels chief executive, also played up the 80-Test veteran's potential role off the field.

"When you look at his record it is an amazing record ... we always said we wanted a mix of youth and experience and I'd like to think that off-field he can be a fantastic person to help us promote our code," Waldron said. "We don't expect him to be the player he was five years ago but we think he can certainly bring invaluable experience."

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