Mortlock seeks talks with Deans

2008-02-06 08:08

Sydney - Wallaby captain Stirling Mortlock would like to meet new Australian coach Robbie Deans as soon as possible to discuss his future - and that of the national squad.

The Rugby World Cup and Brumbies skipper is yet to re-sign with the Australian Rugby Union, and is considering a reported A$1.25m-a-season, three-year deal from a Japanese club. But Mortlock, 30, told the Sydney Morning Herald he wanted to speak with Deans one-on-one about the New Zealander's vision for the Wallabies and his own status before making a decision.

Deans is in Sydney for Thursday night's Super 14 trial at the Sydney Football Stadium between the Waratahs and Crusaders.

"The plan was to catch up over the next few days," said Mortlock, who is undergoing rehabilitation for a shoulder reconstruction and will miss the first half of the Super 14. "It is something we had penciled in to arrange with (Wallabies manager) Phil Thomson.

"I would like to chat with Robbie about a lot of things. I would like to talk to him about his plans for the team, to get an insight and to use that as the starting point for talks from a Wallabies' perspective.

"But I also would like to learn his mindset on points about me. If I can do it or not, I don't know. I realise he is very busy and only has a few days here."

Mortlock, who has also received offers from several European clubs, said he had heard the ARU's position on his value through its high-performance manager, Pat Howard. But he said "it would be good to do that face to face" with Deans.

Deans on Tuesday said he never became involved in the contractual side of player negotiations.

"The key thing from a coach's perspective is to know that the blokes who are there want to be there," Deans said.

However, if a player coming off-contract wanted to discuss their future, he said he would be willing to talk with them if they felt it was a vital in helping them to reach a decision.

"I am more than happy to, if the players initiate it, if they are seeking some form of assistance in getting to a position of clarity themselves, that is as good as gold," he said.

Asked if he would be open to meeting Wallabies such as Mortlock, or Waratahs loose forwards Rocky Elsom and Wycliff Palu - who are off contract at the end of this season - Deans said: "Pat Howard has my contact details. If there is a player who is contemplating their future and felt that my stance was a critical component of that, then I would welcome that call.

"But it is not for me to go chasing them prior to that point. Players will make decisions and they will make them for their own reasons. It is not for me to impose my will."

- SAPA