On the eve of the new Super Rugby season, veteran Melbourne Rebels centre Stirling Mortlock tells the Sydney Morning Herald's Guy Hand that there is still plenty of life left in this old dog.
"Mortlock will make his long-awaited debut for the Super Rugby newcomers in a trial match against Fiji in Ballarat on Saturday.
The 33-year-old hasn't played since May last year, when he was found to have a serious disc problem which required back surgery soon after announcing his move from the Brumbies to the Rebels for 2011.
"Mortlock, who still harbours ambitions of breaking back into the Wallabies' set-up in time for the World Cup, is keen to clock up at least half a game against Fiji.
"Thrilled with how his back feels, Mortlock believes once he reaches full fitness he will be a better player than he was just prior to his injury being diagnosed.
"I still feel as though my body has got a little way to go, but I'm very confident in the back," Mortlock said. "(Before surgery) my right side was essentially not doing what I asked it to do. When my body is hopefully in tip-top shape, I'm hoping for it to be significantly better than it has been in a number of years."
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