By David Beniuk
August 29th 2008 @ 1:56am
View The Roar's top rugby union writers.
Love new art, fashion, music? Check out Aussie site which unearths all things cool and creative.
Join Australia’s community for solo & micro business at FlyingSolo.com.au
Elsom wins appeal
The Wallabies have received a major boost ahead of their Tri Nations Test against South Africa in Johannesburg with rugged flanker Rocky Elsom successfully appealing his suspension for dangerous play.
Elsom will now be available for the Ellis Park match on Saturday after SANZAR officials ruled in favour of overturning a one-match ban for pulling down [...]
This article is over 2000 days old and has been trimmed.
Going to the Waratahs v Brumbies blockbuster at ANZ Stadium, Saturday 24 April? If you're keen to meet up with other Roarers, register you interest and we'll keep you informed on the place to meet. Register now.
Get Australia's best Rugby opinion emailed daily.
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
(17)
mudskipper said | August 29th 2008 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Now that’s a more sensible decision…A catch 22 for Deans who is likely to play Rocky on the Highveld Saturday…Perhaps it should have been left to providence leaving Rocky with time week off and freshen up for the Tri-Nations playoff in Brisbane…
With Rocky in the Wallabies are a much better chance of winning back to back games in the Republic…
Peter K said | August 29th 2008 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Rocky does not need much freshening up, he had time off with his ankle injury, besides after the AB game he is off to Ireland so get the most out of him while we can!
mudskipper said | August 29th 2008 @ 10:48am | Report comment
He wont be easily replaced nexr year…
Peter K said | August 29th 2008 @ 10:59am | Report comment
Elsom may be back next year. We will miss him for the NH tour and the S14. I think he will be available for the TN’s next year, thats if we give him a decent offer and not a downgrade which was his first offer.
Rickety Knees said | August 29th 2008 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Peter K – I agree. Elsom has been the heart and soul of the pack. He is the ultimate warrior and one that we can hardly afford to lose. I hope that Deans replaces him early in the second half to save him for the AB’s at Suncorp. If that does happen it will be interesting to see who Deans chooses at No6.
I have no doubt that JON and Deans now realise his true value and will provide him with the incentive to return to next years TN.
Finally, I don’t much agree with Campo but today he is on the money. The Sanzar judiciary system is a complete joke and needs to be scrapped and a new one built from from scratch.
Jerry said | August 29th 2008 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
“He is the ultimate warrior”
http://www.richardpalace.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/ultimatewarrior.jpg ?
ohtani's jacket said | August 29th 2008 @ 12:43pm | Report comment
HA, I was thinking the same thing.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb353HShJKs&feature=related
ulysses said | August 29th 2008 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
And the best thing about Rocky playing….Notso Sharpe flies all the way there and doesn’t make the bench! Good call by Deans to keep Mumm on the bench, covers lock and #6 and all part of his development.
Waugh, Horwill, McMeniman, Elsom is about as combative a back 4 as we have. Same with TPN over Moore perhaps? Sure you can talk about fresh legs and building the squad. But I reckon Deans believes the red mist will be pretty heavy from the Boks on Saturday and wants our hardest heads out there.
Rickety Knees said | August 29th 2008 @ 1:08pm | Report comment
Good call Ulysses – I note that you left Palu out the combatative mix – are you not a fan?
ulysses said | August 29th 2008 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
Rickety – I am a big Palu fan when he is on. Remember against the Sharks in Sydney – he destroyed AJ Venter in a head-on tackle from a quick tap on the 22, AJ loses the ball, and two phases later Palu runs over 3 backs to score beside the post. AJ Venter later said it was the hardest tackle he had ever taken. So Palu has more physical talent and presence than just about any player today. But we see it pretty rarely in the tests. But I am sure Deans has it as a special project – if he stays fit, he will build slowly but surely over the next two years I reckon.
Also – in terms of Saturday – Palu was always going to play – there is no other real option at #8. I was more commenting on Dean’s choice of Waugh over Smith, and McMeniman over Sharpe.
Rickety Knees said | August 29th 2008 @ 3:15pm | Report comment
Yeah – I don’t think I will ever forget that hit on Venter. My son still talks about. I have seen Palu and Elsom combine to produce some absolute bell ringers. I just wish that Cliffy would get a bit more fire in his belly. Maybe somebody needs to belt him to get him going.
Jameswm said | August 29th 2008 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
I reckon Cliffy’s doing pretty damn well as he is. He does more work than he’s given credit for and is a brute in tight.
Interesting he has gone for TPN to start at hooker. I think if his lineout throwing lacks confidence, he should be starting, not coming on later. I think starting makes this easier. And I am a firm believer that all his lineout throwqing needs is a dose of confidence.
Great call by Deans to give him and Waugh a start. maybe the incumbents are playing better at the moment, but they are two physically tough positions and there’s no harm in lightening their load when you have this qiuality replacement.
Waratah front and back rows, and would be 7 of 8 in the pack if it wasn’t for the Vickerman injury.
Tahu to start will be fascninating. I’m tipping him to be a real handful.
Only one problem with the team – no backup at 5/8. Hynes, if Giteau gets injured? Can’t think of anyone else. Sheehan? Perish the thought.
H-RAINE said | August 29th 2008 @ 5:56pm | Report comment
for gito back up probably aac tahu or deew mitchell maybe stirlo
Peter K said | August 29th 2008 @ 6:42pm | Report comment
Jameswm I agree re Palu, I am constantly posting how his tackle count is the highest and people say he is lazy.
I would have Cross as the back up 5/8. He played at f/8 in league a few times for Roosters.
Sluggy said | August 29th 2008 @ 8:18pm | Report comment
Giteau injured? – AAC could go there, apparently Hynes can in an emegency, with Mitchell going to the back. AAC kicks right foot so I suspect he’ll come up on some If defensive plays with Tahu going to the wing and Hynes to the back anyway.
H-RAINE said | August 29th 2008 @ 8:22pm | Report comment
could stirlo play there
Sluggy said | August 29th 2008 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
Mortlock probably not, he’s too valuable out wide – and others kick better out of hand than him.