Comments on: Exclusive: Rocky Elsom video interview http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/ The Roar is a sports opinion website. We tackle sports opinion rather than simply sports news. And we embed user-generated content — in the form of articles and comments — into the fabric of the site. Featuring some of the best sports writers in Australia — including the Sydney Morning Herald's Spiro Zavos — The Roar aims to be the leading sports website in Australia. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:24:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Benjamin http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72998 Benjamin Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:04:52 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72998 Poor old Stephen Keogh - he just keeps on pluggin' away. I'm not the biggest fan of Jowitt, or Toner for that matter but I do like Hogan. Elsom should be a great 'accessory'. Poor old Stephen Keogh - he just keeps on pluggin’ away. I’m not the biggest fan of Jowitt, or Toner for that matter but I do like Hogan. Elsom should be a great ‘accessory’.

]]> By: Dublin Dave http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72974 Dublin Dave Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:31:28 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72974 I think 4,5 and 6 is where he will play the majority of his rugby at Leinster, Benjamin. Leinster's captain this season will be second row Leo Cullen. (The gradual phasing out of Brian O'Driscoll has begun. There have been big hints from Declan Kidney that he will not be Irish captain this year either.) Leinster's other first choice lock is Malcolm O'Kelly, still well able to do a job but nearly as old as me. Ample room there for Elsom to fit in. At six Leinster have tended to play Cameron Jowitt, New Zealand born of Samoan ancestry but now "Irish qualified" by virtue of residency. I think he will share that jersey with Elsom a fair bit this season. I think 4,5 and 6 is where he will play the majority of his rugby at Leinster, Benjamin. Leinster’s captain this season will be second row Leo Cullen. (The gradual phasing out of Brian O’Driscoll has begun. There have been big hints from Declan Kidney that he will not be Irish captain this year either.) Leinster’s other first choice lock is Malcolm O’Kelly, still well able to do a job but nearly as old as me. Ample room there for Elsom to fit in.

At six Leinster have tended to play Cameron Jowitt, New Zealand born of Samoan ancestry but now “Irish qualified” by virtue of residency. I think he will share that jersey with Elsom a fair bit this season.

]]> By: Benjamin http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72721 Benjamin Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:30:26 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72721 Surely Elsom will be at 6 Dave. I couldn't imagine Heaslip being shunted around. I could see Elsom filling in for a 2nd rower ahead of the 8 man slot. Surely Elsom will be at 6 Dave. I couldn’t imagine Heaslip being shunted around. I could see Elsom filling in for a 2nd rower ahead of the 8 man slot.

]]> By: Dublin Dave http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72719 Dublin Dave Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:18:35 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72719 As a Leinster season ticket holder who was one of about 14,000 at the opening home game of the Mangers League season on Friday night I am looking forward to Elsom's arrival. It will be interesting to see where and how often he plays. The Irish provinces differ from the English clubs in that the players' are ultimately contracted by the Union whose first priority is the national side. Naturally the provincial teams' managements have a different interest so there is a conflict but nothing like as marked as happens in France and England where the clubs pay the pipers and feel, reasonably enough that they can call the tune. But in Ireland, the fact that Elsom will be vying for the number 8 position with the incumbent Irish player in that position could lead to political tensions. Either it will mean that Elsom is "rotated" for what is seen as the less important Magner's League matches or that he will have to play out of position. Already Felipe Contepomi, the best Leinster player I have seen in the out half position has been shunted into the centre to give gave time to the promising but very raw Jonathan Sexton at 10. Another new arrival, Isa Nacewa has played (very well) in three positions in the first two games: full back, centre and fly half. He looks to be a seriously good piece of business, but his versatility probably means that he will be used to plug gaps when they appear rather than command a regular place in the starting lineup. Elsom might have a similar fate. As a Leinster season ticket holder who was one of about 14,000 at the opening home game of the Mangers League season on Friday night I am looking forward to Elsom’s arrival.

It will be interesting to see where and how often he plays. The Irish provinces differ from the English clubs in that the players’ are ultimately contracted by the Union whose first priority is the national side. Naturally the provincial teams’ managements have a different interest so there is a conflict but nothing like as marked as happens in France and England where the clubs pay the pipers and feel, reasonably enough that they can call the tune.

But in Ireland, the fact that Elsom will be vying for the number 8 position with the incumbent Irish player in that position could lead to political tensions. Either it will mean that Elsom is “rotated” for what is seen as the less important Magner’s League matches or that he will have to play out of position.

Already Felipe Contepomi, the best Leinster player I have seen in the out half position has been shunted into the centre to give gave time to the promising but very raw Jonathan Sexton at 10. Another new arrival, Isa Nacewa has played (very well) in three positions in the first two games: full back, centre and fly half. He looks to be a seriously good piece of business, but his versatility probably means that he will be used to plug gaps when they appear rather than command a regular place in the starting lineup.

Elsom might have a similar fate.

]]> By: LeftArmSpinner http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72426 LeftArmSpinner Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:52:21 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72426 will do. still very relevant..... given The Rock's performance tonight. What a game. phew. will do. still very relevant….. given The Rock’s performance tonight. What a game. phew.

]]> By: Andrew Logan http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72394 Andrew Logan Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:49:15 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72394 Hi LAS, Zac's feeling was that Saturday is a slow Roar day so he is planning on putting them up Sunday/Monday I think. Sorry! Hang in there. Cheers... Hi LAS,

Zac’s feeling was that Saturday is a slow Roar day so he is planning on putting them up Sunday/Monday I think. Sorry!

Hang in there.

Cheers…

]]> By: LeftArmSpinner http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72365 LeftArmSpinner Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:27:41 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72365 Andrew, where are the other instalments? Andrew, where are the other instalments?

]]> By: Andrew Logan http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72102 Andrew Logan Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:59:37 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72102 Kento/LAS, Thanks for the feedback. Rocky interviews like he plays - hard and straight, and always in control of what he is doing. He clearly didn't want to discuss his personal situation, so I let it go, but the implication was that the ARU had looked after him by not talking about it and he was repaying the favour. Fair enough really. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Rocky end up as a heavy hitter in rugby circles in 20 years time. He has the same sort of presence as a Colin Meads or a John Thornett. Time will tell whether he continues to build that level of respect but I would back him in. Some interesting insights into Sonny Bill etc coming up - stay tuned. Cheers, Loges. Kento/LAS,

Thanks for the feedback. Rocky interviews like he plays - hard and straight, and always in control of what he is doing. He clearly didn’t want to discuss his personal situation, so I let it go, but the implication was that the ARU had looked after him by not talking about it and he was repaying the favour. Fair enough really.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Rocky end up as a heavy hitter in rugby circles in 20 years time. He has the same sort of presence as a Colin Meads or a John Thornett. Time will tell whether he continues to build that level of respect but I would back him in.

Some interesting insights into Sonny Bill etc coming up - stay tuned.

Cheers,

Loges.

]]> By: LeftArmSpinner http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72091 LeftArmSpinner Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:40:16 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72091 guys, excellent piece. Elsom is great talent, clear, concise and open. cant wait for the next three instalments. guys, excellent piece. Elsom is great talent, clear, concise and open. cant wait for the next three instalments.

]]> By: Kento http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/11/the-rocky-elsom-series-part-1/#comment-72063 Kento Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:20:56 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=10449#comment-72063 Great interview guys - Rocky's clearly one of the more interesting sportsmen going around. Wish he'd elaborated a little more on the reasons for leaving Australian rugby for a period. What a loss he'll be! Great interview guys - Rocky’s clearly one of the more interesting sportsmen going around. Wish he’d elaborated a little more on the reasons for leaving Australian rugby for a period. What a loss he’ll be!

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