Elsom set for Wallabies comeback

[Mainlander]

Ireland-based star flanker Rocky Elsom set for Wallabies comeback

Rocky Elsom is close to returning to Australia permanently after a meeting between the star flanker, Robbie Deans and Australian Rugby Union bosses John O'Neill and David Nucifora in London this week.

And if a deal can be reached in time, Elsom could possibly switch from the Barbarians and play against them for the Wallabies in the opening Test in June.

Speculation emerged last week that Elsom was hoping to play with the Wallabies this winter before returning for a second season at Leinster, where the 26-year-old is playing.

That proposal was not raised by Elsom at the meeting, however, and the outstanding forward confirmed his "primary objective" was to play for the Wallabies.

"I definitely want to play for the Wallabies, and play in the 2011 World Cup," Elsom said from Dublin.

The 40-Test star has been in exceptional form for Leinster, and the Irish province are desperate to retain him.

But Elsom has been in contact with the ARU since leaving late last year and flew to London following his man-of-the-match performance against Ulster last Sunday night.

There he met Deans, Nucifora and briefly O'Neill, who were attending an IRB laws summit.

"We had a good chat," high-performance boss Nucifora said.

"It was all positive and now it is just a matter of Rocky deciding what he wants to do."

Nucifora said Elsom didn't ask for a dispensation to Wallabies eligibility criteria that excludes overseas-based players.

"I think he knows better. He didn't bring that up," Nucifora said.

Whether Elsom will also return to the New South Wales Waratahs remains unclear.

He said he will pick a province on his return home, if and when a deal is struck.

The Irish season concludes by May 24. Though already invited to play for the Baabaas on June 6, Elsom could play a club rugby game and be eligible for the Wallabies instead.

In further good news for the Wallabies, Luke Burgess is understood to have agreed to a new deal that will see him re-sign with the ARU until 2011.

And the Tri-Nations will continue to use all the ELVs this winter, despite a handful being rejected in London this week.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25281779-23217,00.html

 

[Scotty]

He has probably been watching a bit of the S14 and is shitting himself with the performances of the likes of Higginbotham, MMM and Mumm. I don't think Elsom is good enough for the likes of Deans and Nucifora to have special meetings. If he wants to play for the Wallabies, he can commit to a S14 side.

 

[Cutter]

He has probably been watching a bit of the S14 and is shitting himself with the performances of the likes of Higginbotham, MMM and Mumm. I don't think Elsom is good enough for the likes of Deans and Nucifora to have special meetings. If he wants to play for the Wallabies, he can commit to a S14 side.

Hear, hear Scotty.

 

[Biffo]

He has probably been watching a bit of the S14 and is shitting himself with the performances of the likes of Higginbotham, MMM and Mumm. I don't think Elsom is good enough for the likes of Deans and Nucifora to have special meetings. If he wants to play for the Wallabies, he can commit to a S14 side.

Please read the article again. It says that Rocky specifically did NOT ask for special treatment, with a comment to the effect that he is smarter than so to do.

Rocky is very good indeed - far better than some on this post credit him. Those who doubt just how good he is should ask his team mates, who are in a position to know.

At 25, Rocky is still some way from his physical peak and has 40 tests behind him. That makes him a far better proposition than Mum, McMiniMum and HigginBum, none of whom are proved as a 6 at S14, let alone test, level.

I shall be highly amused to read the changes of opinion about Rocky by our banjo playing mates in this forum if he decides to go to the Reds :lmao: On t'other hand, Rocky is smart, so the chance is very small.

 

[Scotty]

Biff,

I didn't say he asked for special treatment - just a comment about how well some of the other Oz 6s have performed.

The fact he got a personal meeting with those guys means he is getting special treatment - it isn't like they meet with every Wallaby possible over there.

He states that his priorty is to play for the Wallabies - all I saying is 'prove it'.

 

[Biffo]

Biff,

I didn't say he asked for special treatment - just a comment about how well some of the other Oz 6s have performed.

The fact he got a personal meeting with those guys means he is getting special treatment - it isn't like they meet with every Wallaby possible over there.

He states that his priorty is to play for the Wallabies - all I saying is 'prove it'.

I would be absolutely astonished if Deans and Nucifora don't have at least quarterly meetings with every player on their radar.

Proof of Rocky's intentions will come when he declares where he will next align himself - all else is speculation.

 

[Spook]

Biff,

I didn't say he asked for special treatment - just a comment about how well some of the other Oz 6s have performed.

The fact he got a personal meeting with those guys means he is getting special treatment - it isn't like they meet with every Wallaby possible over there.

He states that his priorty is to play for the Wallabies - all I saying is 'prove it'.

I would be absolutely astonished if Deans and Nucifora don't have at least quarterly meetings with every player on their radar.

Proof of Rocky's intentions will come when he declares where he will next align himself - all else is speculation.

He needs to come back to an Oz side...and then I'll welcome him into the Wallabies. Elsom is so damn consistent these days. Been enjoying watching him clean up the Euro trash :thumb

 

[Pfitzy]

I would be absolutely astonished if Deans and Nucifora don't have at least quarterly meetings with every player on their radar.

Absolutely - until Test season they've got fuck all else to do except get free tickets and food/beer at games.

That makes him a far better proposition than Mum, McMiniMum and HigginBum, none of whom are proved as a 6 at S14, let alone test, level.

Mumm and Higginfanny are actually well-proven to my mind as options at 6 - have all the physical attributes but most importantly the mental toughness.

 

[disco]

I think MMM is struggling at 6 & should probably concentrate on playing lock, ATM Mumm should be ranked #1 at blindside flanker.

It was bad enough last week that MMM got danced around by the Chiefs wingers but last night I saw Richard Brown step inside him also.

 

[fatprop]

At the moment Mumm is our best lock and 6

 

[disco]

At the moment Mumm is our best lock and 6

true

 

[naza]

I get the feeling Mumm is being positioned for the Tahs captaincy.

Can't help shake the feeling Elsom is loved by some cause it meant the Wallabies finally abandoned the ridiculous 2 opensides (Waugh, Smith) policy.

 

[PhucNgo]

I get the feeling Mumm is being positioned for the Tahs captaincy.

Can't help shake the feeling Elsom is loved by some cause it meant the Wallabies finally abandoned the ridiculous 2 opensides (Waugh, Smith) policy.

May explain the apparent reticence in committing to a S14 team. :nta:

 

[disco]

Elsom snubs ARU
Monday 06th April 2009
Staying in Ireland: Rocky Elsom
Staying in Ireland: Rocky Elsom
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According to reports emanating from Australia, ARU bosses are furious after their attempts to bring star loose forward Rocky Elsom back from Ireland fell apart.

The Sun-Herald reported that Elsom has "all but confirmed" he will not be returning to Australia later this year to play for the Wallabies, nor in the Super 14 next year.

In 2008 Elsom joined Irish side Leinster for a one-year sabbatical after being given an early release from his ARU contract last year on "compassionate grounds" - believed to be related to financial problems caused by a property deal that went pear-shaped.

Elsom, who will play for the Barbarians against Australia in June, never signed a contract obliging him to return home, apparently the result of an ARU administrative oversight.

For former Waratahs is believed to be earning double what he was in Australia and has little intention of taking a pay-cut.

"Rocky was released on compassionate grounds and was committed to coming back to Australia this June to play for the Wallabies and was released on that basis," a source told The Sun-Herald.

"He gave his word that he was going to come back but nothing was actually signed. It was a massive oversight. He was released on a promise.

"Rocky's a pretty complicated bloke and he dragged out negotiations for so long that it [the contract signing] was overlooked. The ARU aren't happy and understandably so, but it's all worked out well for Rocky Elsom. Who's to blame him for taking the massive cash on offer?"

The 27-year-old is the target of a number of big-money offers in Europe, and his decision to play for the Barbarians is perhaps the biggest indicator of his intentions.

"The understanding of the agreement was that he was meant to be back playing for the Wallabies in June against the Barbarians, so with that in mind, I can't see him coming back anytime soon," the source said.

"He is already on big money over there and he's been such a hit that he's been offered even more to stay, I'd say. And I understand there are no shortage of clubs in Wales, England, France, Japan and elsewhere, who are in the market for his signature. He's a bloody good rugby player and he has a lot of opportunities to consider.

"They love him over there and he's very close to coach Michael Cheika. I think it's pretty safe to assume he won't be returning to Australia for a while longer, and that wasn't the basis on which the ARU agreed to release him. They're not happy."

For all their crying-foul, the ARU are reportedly doing little to help the Waratahs retain another stars. While full-back Sam Norton-Knight will continue his career with Cardiff Blues in Wales, Phil Waugh looks set to join Elsom after the ARU has officially refused to beef up the limited offer for the 'Tahs.

 

[disco]

In 2008 Elsom joined Irish side Leinster for a one-year sabbatical after being given an early release from his ARU contract last year on "compassionate grounds" - believed to be related to financial problems caused by a property deal that went pear-shaped.

That's what I love, the ARU should have told him to take it up with his manager.

Conversation should have been.

Rocky: G'day John I'm in a bit cash strapped can I take a one year sabbatical to get my money back.

JON: Fuck off cockhead.

Rocky: Huh

JON: You heard me, Fuck off take it up with your player manager not our problem now get the fuck out of my sight.

 

[Gagger]

"He gave his word that he was going to come back but nothing was actually signed. It was a massive oversight. He was released on a promise.

"Rocky's a pretty complicated bloke and he dragged out negotiations for so long that it [the contract signing] was overlooked. The ARU aren't happy and understandably so, but it's all worked out well for Rocky Elsom. Who's to blame him for taking the massive cash on offer?"

I couldn't fucken believe it when I read this. O'Neill must have been rope-able.

I'm now coming to reckon that Rocky's a complete fuckup who happens to be a very good rugby player.

Apparently Deans and J'ON etc all met up with him in London recently and he still pulled this stunt.

If you got screwed like this in business by some smart arse, would you trust and work with them again?

 

[steiner]

Whenever I've described somebody as "complicated" what I've really meant is that he's a can't, spoken with a Scottish accent. I say we stop pandering to him and piss him off.

 

[Pfitzy]

Hmmm. Well, I guess the first point to note: its professional sport.

Second point: live by the sword, die by the sword. We all laughed when the Kiwis fell over for the RWC2003 subhosting rights, then one of our players gets a bit too canny and we're left in the lurch. This may increase Elsom's prick rating but see point 1 above.

If you got screwed like this in business by some smart arse, would you trust and work with them again?

:nta: You might actually hire them, depending on how well they did it...



Besides which, he's a QLDer - what do you expect? 8)

 

[Gagger]

Guess who just got MoM in the Leinster v Quins QF Heiny Cup slugfest.......

 

[Biffo]

Guess who just got MoM in the Leinster v Quins QF Heiny Cup slugfest.......

Easy. From PR:

"Man of the match: Quins deserve more for their efforts - especially Danny Care, Jordan Turner-Hall and Ugo Monye. Brian O'Driscoll was his usual bustling, burrowing, brutal self, Leo Cullen bossed the line-out, Rob Kearney was a tower in a storm at the back, but it was industrious Rocky Elsom who really caught the eye. He has brought a steeliness to Leinster's formerly suspect pack."

Very obviously, the bloke can't play.