Mortlock and Young out of Wallabies tour - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Mortlock and Young out of Wallabies tour

By Adrian Warren 21/09/2005 08:30:34 PM Comments (0)

Australia sacrificed the experience of 87 Test caps for the coming tour of Europe with stalwarts Stirling Mortlock and Bill Young "rested" from the trip.

And according to coach Eddie Jones one or two other players could also be left at home.

Earlier this week hooker Jeremy Paul was also rested from the four-match campaign of France and the UK, to allow him to recover from a bulging disk in his neck.

"There may be one or two others that we may rest and they may also be medically linked as well," Jones said.

He wouldn't reveal who the other players were, though back rower David Lyons could be one candidate.

Lyons was expected to miss the tour with a groin injury, though he was last week named in the training squad.

Outside centre Mortlock missed the last two matches of the Tri-Nations as well as four Super 12 matches through a calf injury, while Young started 34 of the last 35 Tests at loosehead prop.

"Stirling and Billy Young have got now a good four months before they have to do any rugby activity, so it gives them a great chance to really optimise their preparations for next year," Jones said.

"Bill has played more than 550 minutes of Test Rugby already this season and with a groin injury at the start of the year he didn't really get a good off-season.

"He needs a break from playing and the chance to work on an extensive strength and conditioning program leading into next year.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news