Waratahs top of Elsom’s list, says Hickey
By Darren Walton, 4 Apr 2009 Darren Walton is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Chris Hickey, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Waratahs
NSW coach Chris Hickey is confident star flanker Rocky Elsom will re-sign with the Waratahs when – and if – he returns to Australia following his playing stint with Leinster.
The Australian Rugby Union last year granted Elsom a release from his ARU contract, citing unspecified compassionate grounds, freeing up the 40-Test forward to take up a one-season deal with Leinster.
Although the Irish club is now desperate to retain the 26-year-old, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and ARU bosses John O’Neill and David Nucifora remain hopeful of luring Elsom back for the 2009 Tri Nations tournament.
Deans, O’Neill and Nucifora met with Elsom this week while in London for an ELVs summit.
Should Elsom – who is intent on playing for Australia at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand – opt to resume his Super 14 career next season, it is likely there will be a tug-of-war for his services between the states.
There was speculation last month that the Reds were eager for Elsom – a product of Brisbane’s esteemed rugby nursery Nudgee College – to return home to play for Queensland.
Hickey, though, is optimistic Elsom will reunite with the Waratahs, where he enjoyed a six-season stint from 2003-08.
“I think if Rocky comes back to Australia that the Waratahs would be top of his list,” Hickey said on Friday.
“We spoke to Rocky a couple of weeks ago and Rocky’s still working out what he wants to do.
“Rocky’s aware that we’re really interested to talk to him. It becomes a little bit more difficult because there’s a third party with the ARU involved.
“So he needs time to work through those negotiations and we’ll just stay in touch with him and see how it unfolds over the next few weeks.”
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pothale said | April 4th 2009 @ 11:20pm | Report comment
Hmmm… I wonder if the Tahs should be sounding so confident that Elsom will be back soon. I understand that Leinster have made him an offer that would be very hard to refuse. Apparently – allegedly even – Elsom got out of his ARU contract due to a financial deal that went sour on him, and the lure of Leinster money probably three times what was on offer back home – persuaded him to make the move.
It now turns out, Elsom didn’t sign a piece of paper on his exit that would have compelled/obliged him to return – a major oversight by the administrative officials – and Elsom is now practically a free agent to do what he likes.
He’s already agreed to play against Wallabies in the Baa-baas match, and looks very likely to sign on with Leinster for another term.
I suspect though, he may want to let things drift for a few more weeks, until he sees where Leinster are going.
The Magners League champions are sitting in number two spot in the League currently and they play Munster, the current leaders, this evening. Victory tonight, puts the Magners Champions back in pole spot, with a better finale run-in than their provincial rivals.
Leinster then have a tricky quarter-final against Harlequins in two weeks in Twickenham. Victory on away grounds is hard to come by in the Heineken Cup, though Leinster (and Munster) are one of the few teams to buck the trend in this regard. Their thrilling victory at Stade Toulosain in the H Cup in the quarter finals a few years ago is still regarded as one of the best in the tournament’s history.
The reward for a victory against Quins will be a game against either Munster or Ospreys. The form book suggests that Munster will win through, and so set up an almighty semi-final battle against Elsom & Co be held in Croke Park which has already been reserved by Munster should they progress.
If Leinster can do the unthinkable and progress on both League and Cup fronts, the future for Elsom looks pretty bright in Europe, and could give his talents even greater standing amongst the European clubs.
Waratahs may be hopeful of getting their man, but I wouldn’t be holding my breath. Four weeks time may give a better picture of what the future holds and where his best interests lie.
Knives Out said | April 5th 2009 @ 12:33am | Report comment
I think that Leinster should worry less about Elsom and more about a high quality prop. Harlequins are handing out a real scrum lesson to Bath.
pothale said | April 5th 2009 @ 3:25am | Report comment
Leinster won’t win against Quins. Although Quins will need more than penalty tries to beat them.
I think Leinster won’t beat Munster this evening either. They’re down O’Driscoll and Fitzgerald. Munster are down Leamy.
van der Lindement is still crocky and seems to have taken to sick bay big time – must be the nurses. At this point, his value to Leinster this season is negligible, if not a negative in terms of financial cost and team contribution. I didn’t rate Le Roux that highly either.
However, KO, Elsom will be a key difference in the match against Quins. If he wasn’t there, I’d pack up the bunting now.
What kind of a gobshite is Julian White – taking potshots in front of the ref? And now his team is losing a match they were ahead in. Still it’s looking good as a match.
Knives Out said | April 5th 2009 @ 3:37am | Report comment
Before today’s games Quins had scored the most amount of tries in the GP. Even if you discount the Worcester game they would still be in the top three for tries scored. They went to Bath and did a serious number on them. Their defence was superb, their scrum superb and they dominated the breakdown. They are looking a seriously good outfit at the moment.
Van der Linde will be better when mauling returns, but his purchase always struck me as being rather bizarre. His scrummaging has never been world class and his discipline has often been shaky. The IRFU should be moving the earth to get Mike Ross back to Ireland.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Elsom. I’ll be watching him closely next weekend.
White.. What can I say? Sheridan threw the first jab and was lucky that it didn’t connect but all White had to do was walk away. Pure idiocy from a man aged 35 or 36. That Sale haven’t managed to win suggests that they will be in big trouble next year.
Colin N said | April 5th 2009 @ 3:53am | Report comment
As a Sale fan I’m gutted, but Leicester were superb and somehow kept up an unrivaled intensity for the full 80 minutes, their fitness was incredible. However, for a neutral it must have been a superb game to watch. The turning point I think was Hodgson’s easily read chip through that led to Hipkiss’ try. At that point it was 25-20 to Sale and seemingly in control. The crowd had quietened, but that try changes the context of the game.
pothale said | April 5th 2009 @ 3:57am | Report comment
How much have you watched Elsom – even playing for Leinster, KO? I think he’s a class act. Scores tries, always harrying the oppo line, takes the ball forward, puts in the tackles, and is a great dynamo for the Leinster pack.
Cracking match between Tigers and Sharks. Who needs more ELVs – or less of them? This was how rugby should be played as far as I’m concerned, Confirms my belief that if ultimately comes down to teams and how they want to play the game. 14 men for 60 minutes and they get over in the 70 minute for yet another try to seal the match – classic Leicester play and deservedly on top of the league.
Minor side note – how come Geordan Murphy plays out of his skin for Leicester and is revered in the club, but just never manages to pull out the stops when playing for Ireland? Mystery.
Knives Out said | April 5th 2009 @ 4:23am | Report comment
It was a good game, Colin. I’d be seriously worried if I were you though. Obviously the new coaching panel needs a good pre-season but today suggests that it’s going to be very hard form them to make a serious run at the top 4.
Pothale, only a handful this season but regularly over the past few. I should perhaps say that I don’t think he’s a bad player but equally there’s something about his game that I just can’t put my finger on. I just don’t think he’s a class act. Just my opinion.
Colin N said | April 5th 2009 @ 4:50am | Report comment
KO, as I said before I’m not too worried. On paper after White was sent off, we should have won, but Leicester were excellent. I doubt we’ll make the top four now, but that’s life. Also, Kingsley Jones has got us playing far better rugby than PSA.
Knives Out said | April 5th 2009 @ 4:54am | Report comment
I don’t think that was too difficult, Colin, PSA had the team all over the place. Sale are too reliant on Hodgson and he flaked again today, although he did play well in the first half. Bath suffer the same problems with Butch James. My personal view is that there is not enough quality in the Sale squad and too many journeymen.
Colin N said | April 5th 2009 @ 5:12am | Report comment
Hodgson-flaked-when? Kicked all his goals, was at the centre of everything Sale did well. Produced one bad kick, but it was something that was practiced on the training ground. Who are the journeymen? Keil yes, I would say so, but Tuilagie’s better and has just come back from injury. Most have come through the Sale academy, so I couldn’t call them journeymen. Do you still have the same opinion on Cueto, despite him scoring 9 tries in 12 GP games this season? For the record Maddock has 11 in 17.