Former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock shared 90 per cent of his representative rugby career with George Smith so it’s fitting they continue to collect high honours together.

The two modern-day greats of Australian rugby, who last played alongside each other two seasons ago, have been appointed Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australian Day honours.

Both Sydney products, Smith and Mortlock made their marks in Canberra where they played leading roles in turning the Brumbies into a Super Rugby powerhouse, became key Wallabies over more than a decade and also captained Australia at the 2007 World Cup.

While tireless flanker Smith went on to become Australia’s most-capped forward with 110 Tests, three-quarter Mortlock was a backline strike weapon whose international career was cut short by spinal surgery.

Mortlock, preparing to lead the Melbourne Rebels for a second season in 2012, said his humbling Australia Day recognition meant even more coming beside the amazingly resilient Smith.

The courageous ball scavenger, now finishing his career in Japan, put his body on the line between 2000 and 2010 but hardly ever got injured to win eight Brumbies player of the year awards.

“It’s just great to get this honour alongside of him,” Mortlock, who played 80 Tests, told AAP.

“Georgey was possibly a once-in-a-generation style of player. He just did things that no one else was capable of doing, and his consistency to perform at the highest level week-in week-out and year-in year-out was absolutely phenomenal.

“He was a freak of a player and thankfully I pretty much always played with him.”

While 31-year-old Smith’s playing days are currently coming to a close in Japan, Mortlock, 34, will decide this year whether his battle-scarred body is up to one last season with the Rebels in 2013.