Young and Mortlock rested for Spring Tour

Wallabies prop Bill Young and centre Stirling Mortlock will both be rested for the 2005 Spring Tour to France and the UK with the aim of benefiting from an extended off-season and extensive strength and conditioning program.

Young, one of only two players alongside Nathan Sharpe to start in all nine Tests so far this season, will be rested for the Spring Tour while Mortlock who missed the last two matches of the Tri-Nations with a calf injury, will also be given an extended break from playing.

Wallaby Coach Eddie Jones says both Young and Mortlock will benefit from the opportunity to work on their conditioning.

"We named a Training Squad of 45 and we were always going to have a look at each player separately and whether or not it is in their best interest to tour," said Jones.

"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," said Jones.

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

"Stirling is a slightly different proposition, missing four Super 12 matches through injury and three Tests. The break will also give him the opportunity to work hard on his strength and speed."

With Young and Mortlock rested, recent Test debutant Alex Kanaar who was suspended from all forms of rugby for three months on Monday night will also be unavailable for selection for the Spring Tour.

Kanaar's place in the now 42-man Training Squad will be taken by fellow Australia A lock, Adam Wallace-Harrison, who started against the Junior All Blacks in Sydney earlier this year.

The Wallabies will finalise a Spring Tour squad of around 30 on Tuesday 11 October.

Related Articles:

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Wallabies name 45-man Training Squad (Tues Sep 15)
Wallabies back on the paddock this weekend (Wed Sep 7)