Mortlock’s World Cup pledge to Aussie fans
The Brumbies centre assured a crowd of loyal supporters who were on hand to wish the players farewell on Wednesday, that his team is ready to perform in the World Cup that begins in September.
“The team is really looking forward to the challenge of this World Cup,” he said.
“It’s a very special occasion for the team and we are very proud to be representing our fans and the rest of the nation in one of the world’s premier sporting events.”
A confident Mortlock also maintained that his squad’s blend of youth and experience would prove a decisive factor when the tournament gets underway.
“The team has worked extremely hard to prepare and we’re very confident that we’ve got an excellent mix in the squad,” he added.
“Fourteen of our players have played in past rugby World Cups and I’ve got no doubt that experience will hold us in good stead in this World Cup.
“I know that the belief is in this team and hopefully we can bring back Bill.”
Prime Minister John Howard, an unabashed Wallabies’ fanatic, echoed Mortlock’s sentiments in a passionate farewell address to the squad.
“This team if I can say so is coming good just at the right time and with the right momentum,” he said.
“None of us who follow rugby pretend that it’s going to be easy but the great thing about Australian rugby teams, indeed the great thing about all Australian teams, is that no matter what challenges they face or what adversity they might encounter they never give up.”
Meanwhile, Pieter De Villiers will make his return to the France team on Sunday just a fortnight after fearing his World Cup dreams could be ruined for the second successive occasion.
De Villiers succumbed to a calf injury a fortnight ago, days before the friendly against England — and just a month before the start of the World Cup. He missed the 2003 tournament after falling off his mountain bike.
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