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The funniest thing I have read in years...

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barbarian

barbarian

Phil Kearns (64)
Staff member
...the blurb to the new book "Rocky Elsom: Leader of the Wallabies"

ROCKY ELSOM: LEADER OF THE WALLABIES is an insightful and revealing look into the rugby union career of one of Australia′s greatest Wallabies, Rocky Elsom, as seen through the eyes of the key figures in his life, including family members, team-mates and coaches. From representing Australia at under 16s level to attaining cult status in Ireland and named as the best player in the world, Rocky has exerted the same talismanic influence on the Wallabies that Richie McCaw has had on New Zealand. A rugged individualist, Rocky′s biggest task to date will be leading the Australian team for the World Cup in New Zealand in September 2011.

"After covering Rocky′s career as a journalist for eight years I thought I had a fair idea of him, but I realized I hardly knew him at all. Rocky is like a modern day renaissance Man, a Leonardo da Vinci in studs. Apart from being one of the greatest Wallabies of his generation, Rocky is a musician, a philosopher, an entrepreneur and a pilot just to list a few of his pastimes. Most people enjoy speaking about, even boasting about, their interests, especially if that is landing a rickety two-seater T-Bird sideways on a slippery runway, not Rocky. He rarely talks about it, he just does it."

- Bret Harris
Click to expand...

Yes, this is a serious book, you can find the details here:

http://www.harpercollins.com.au/boo...&HCHP=TB_Rocky+Elsom:+Leader+of+the+Wallabies

Get in quick though because I am sure it is just flying off the shelves...
 
RedsHappy

RedsHappy

Tony Shaw (54)
The legitimately serious point here is surely this: this ego-gratifying, saccharin-laden rubbish in an obviously authorised biography would not be being put out there in print without the subject's general concurrence. Such self-indulgence, vanity and poor judgement reflects negatively upon Rocky's actual maturity in, and understanding of, the national team leadership role he is occupying. And note that the assumption of the Wallabies captaincy through the RWC is merely taken for granted, and stated as a given, unalterable fact.

Not that this sort of point has not been made before regarding RE, and his posture, self-image and style. The concerning issue is how this self-construction affects his manner of working as captain with the Wallabies as a team.
 
waratahjesus

waratahjesus

Greg Davis (50)
there is nothing wrong with it, on the back of one of Big Dells books it claims his switch to Rugby Union, made rugby one of the highest rating and supported games in the world but also made officials uncomfortable and led to his eventual break from the sport. (or along those lines) one of the funniest things ive read.
 
yourmatesam

yourmatesam

Desmond Connor (43)
I agree with RedsHappy, I think the point is that he's so up himself that he's already got his mind set on being gifted the Wallaby Captain's job for the World Cup. I think he has to earn it - as good as his past is, he hasn't played much footy this year and didn't perform very well in the Samoan Test.
 
Groucho

Groucho

Greg Davis (50)
People are reading a bit much into this. Elsom's a professional sportsman. It's a merchandising opportunity.

Hundreds of sportsmen have been the subject of books like this, some quite good (like FitzSimons' boigraphy of Eales) and some unbearably sycophantic.

This one seems pretty bad, though. I'm sure Elsom is getting plenty of stick from his team mates. It is unlikely to destroy their culture.

The bigger issue is perhaps the use of these kinds of excruciating puff books as money-spinners, since they could conceivably be bad for the image of the game.
 
T

tranquility

Guest
For a bloke who doesn't talk much, Rocky's outward persona wrongfully or rightfully has changed alot over the last couple of years. I really hope for his sake, and the sake of Australian rugby that he signs with the Tahs next year, gets on with the management and team members, puts in a big off-season and plays out of his skin all year injury free. As it stands, getting pushed out of the ACT, grumbles about whether he should be in the side from past players, comments from Giteau on the rugby club, it is all turning into a bit of an ugly circus and almost a witch hunt. I can honestly say that I believe that Scott Higgenbotham should be playing 6 tonight, I don't see how any other selection is fair or just. However that is not that way it is, and I hope for everyone's sake that Rocky starts playing like he was in Ireland so that all of this can be put to bed.
 
RugbyReg

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
tranquility said:
For a bloke who doesn't talk much, Rocky's outward persona wrongfully or rightfully has changed alot over the last couple of years. I really hope for his sake, and the sake of Australian rugby that he signs with the Tahs next year, gets on with the management and team members, puts in a big off-season and plays out of his skin all year injury free. As it stands, getting pushed out of the ACT, grumbles about whether he should be in the side from past players, comments from Giteau on the rugby club, it is all turning into a bit of an ugly circus and almost a witch hunt. I can honestly say that I believe that Scott Higgenbotham should be playing 6 tonight, I don't see how any other selection is fair or just. However that is not that way it is, and I hope for everyone's sake that Rocky starts playing like he was in Ireland so that all of this can be put to bed.
Click to expand...

would make a great follow up book!
 
G

GC

Guest
Don't get all the Rocky hate. He's an excellent player and seems fairly introverted. Personally I prefer it when people don't speak in cliches and positive but meaningless fluffy crap. Good on him for being who he is.

Also, the publisher and not the writer would've written the blurb on the back of the book I'd guess.
 
Gagger

Gagger

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Staff member
Rocky is a rugby player who's OK at what he does, but you should ask around because not everyone agrees. He's played for the Waratahs, Leinster, The Brumbies and the Wallabies. If you've got nothing else to do you could always read this book.
Click to expand...
 
Ruggo

Ruggo

Mark Ella (57)
There is Rocky the rugby player. When in form a very good one at that. Then there is Rocky the person and trouble just follows him everywhere. I blame the ARU for the latter as he has not been forced to earn a fucking thing since they roled out the red carpet for him to come home. He is probably not the only one that would have to deal with a potential messiah complex if spoon fed like he has been.

For the most part I have been a Deans supporter over his tenure with the Wallabies but the way Elsom has been handled makes a total hypocrite out of him. What happened to such things said by him like "nothing lasts forever". He has made a mockery of his own words.

I could not give a toss if he doesn't speak well publically. I would rather watch paint dry than listen to some of the past wallaby captains whom are greats of the game. Rocky strikes me as a shy sort of a bloke and it comes as no surprise that he is very private. He was in Darwin earlier this year for the Brumbies trial and he was modest and polite to us and the rest of the fans when we met the players. He looked tired (flown to Gove and back earlier that day for development work) but apart from that he was a gentleman to those he interacted with.

I hate the way the ARU have spoon fed him but as for the bloke himself, I have no beef.

As for books, Gregan's book was the most self centered egotistical book I have read from a rugby player. I respected the bloke far more before I read it than after I had finished it.

All I want is for Rocky to have to earn his stripes like every other player.
 
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bryce

bryce

Darby Loudon (17)
A philosopher? A Leonardo da Vinci in studs?

Makes me want to hurl.

I hope there's plenty of piss taking going on in the wallabies camp. If not then there's a problem.
 
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