Like an old horse going to the glue factory, Wallaby legend, Stirling Mortlock, has signed with the melbourne rebels for 2011. This just in from the Melbourne Rebels camp:

The Melbourne Rebels have announced a major signing with Stirling Mortlock, former Wallaby skipper and the highest point-scorer in Super Rugby history, joining the team for 2011.

Director of Coaching and Head Coach Rod Macqueen said,

“Stirling is yet another addition to our growing team of players with strong leadership skills. The opportunity to play out his career in Melbourne, and not overseas,  is great for both Australian rugby and Stirling as he helps us build the foundations of the new club.”

Mortlock will leave the CA Brumbies after a being a stalwart of the club since 1998. He succeeded George Gregan  as captain in 2004 leading the team to take the Super 12 title that year.

First selected for the Wallabies 1997 tour to Argentina out of club rugby by Rod Macqueen, the big match player became the 73rd player to captain the Wallabies in 2006  with highlights including his instrumental role in leading the Australians to an upset 20-15 victory over the All Blacks at the MCG in 2007 in front of a crowd of over 79,000 and in that same year, the great honour of captaining the Wallabies at the World Cup in France.

There is no doubt Stirling Mortlock’s reputation as one of the hardest running centres in the world will see Melbourne fans pack the brand new AAMI Park to see this inspirational Wallaby in Rebel colours.