Stirling Mortlock remembers the last time the Wallabies played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was 2007, a World Cup year, a Bledisloe Cup opener. Mortlock was captain and 79,322 were packed in. Australia had lost to South Africa the week before and had not beaten the All Blacks in three years. That night their fullback started the game by kicking out on the full, Mortlock gave away the first penalty and the All Blacks scored a third-minute try. His side didn’t win a penalty until the 10th then Mortlock missed it. Soon they were down 15-6.
It was the worst possible start on the biggest possible stage. But history shows Australia fought back to win that game 20-15 at the wire. Mortlock says it’s “an omen for our lads”, coming into the Wallabies’ Bledisloe match this Saturday.
