Mortlock named Aussie cup captain

SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) -- Stirling Mortlock has beaten George Gregan for the job of Australia's captain for this year's World Cup in France.

Gregan was stripped of the captaincy this year when the selectors decided to experiment with Matt Giteau at scrumhalf but was expected to return as skipper if he made the squad.

However, coach John Connolly said he was so impressed with Mortlock's performance as captain that he decided to let him keep the job.

"Stirling embraced the captaincy role during the Tri-Nations and really led from the front with his performances on the field," said Connolly.

"He's a player that the other players enjoy playing with and his leadership has grown immensely during the season."

Mortlock, who also replaced Gregan as ACT Brumbies captain, said he was thrilled at the appointment.

"Since the day I was made captain of the Brumbies I hoped I would get the opportunity to captain Australia and now to have the privilege of being captain for the World Cup, it's a huge buzz," Mortlock said.

Gregan, who will appear in his fourth and final World Cup before retiring, was named along with Phil Waugh as one of two co-captains in a predictable squad.

The squad was made up of 13 backs and 17 forwards and included four survivors from the Australia team that won the 1999 World Cup final in Wales and another 10 who were involved with the Wallabies squad that made the 2003 final.

The only uncapped player in the squad was 21-year-old Queensland flyhalf Berrick Barnes while the only real surprise was the omission of hooker Jeremy Paul.

Australia are drawn in Group B at the World Cup, which starts on September 7, along with Wales, Fiji, Canada and Japan.

Australia squad:

Backs: Chris Latham, Julian Huxley, Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Scott Staniforth, Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Sam Cordingley.

Forwards: Wycliff Palu, David Lyons, Stephen Hoiles, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman, Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm, Guy Shepherdson, Al Baxter, Matt Dunning, Greg Holmes, Stephen Moore, Adam Freier, Sean Hardman. E-mail to a friend

Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.