When I saw Rocky Elsom being interviewed after the last International, I couldn’t believe my eyes! What has happened to him?
Has the Rocky that was in Ireland been killed and replaced by some grim Stepford clone? What have you done to this poor man?
His team had just won an International and the man looked unmoved, expressionless and joyless in the interview. This is nothing like the man that I remembered playing for Leinster. He gave lots of interviews for television in Ireland and for Leinster TV (on their website) and I remember him being friendly, warm, expressive and unkept. He was expressive and demonstrative and smiled a lot. A warm, affable and enthusiastic man. Very likable.
And now? In the two interviews/speech after the Ireland match the poor man didn’t smile once. Not even a flicker of a smile. And his team had just won! Even Brian O’Driscoll managed a slight smile.
Then I checked out his press interview on the Wallabies website and there he looked even worse. It’s like he had been bathed in botox. He didn’t seem to move a muscle in his body or face throughout the whole thing. Not even to nod his head!
Has he suffered some weird paralysis? Has his personality been extracted during the new enforced personal grooming regime? How long is it since Rocky has been seen smiling or laughing? I’m not sure that this is the same man.
I hope that this new perfectly groomed Rocky is an imposter and not the real Rocky Elsom because that would be awful. How could he be changed into a cheerless robot? We miss him terribly in Ireland so if this guy does turn out to be an imposter will you please send the real one back to us?
ballboy
Guest
Rocky is the most over rated player in the Wallabies side and the players know it. Despite what others have said on this forum, he doesn't pull his weight around the park. Next time you're at a live game watch him and you'll see. He pops up in unexpected places because he is out of position so much. He was great in Ireland but has been found wanting here both in S14 and in the Test arena. His runs aren't as damaging and he doesn't click with his teammates. From what I've heard from guys within the ranks he plays to his tune and his tune only. He's not smiling because he's not the pin up boy he was in Ireland and he knows it. I'd be happy to see him relagated to the bench until he realises there's no 'i' in team.
adam
Guest
i dont think rocky will have much to smile bout this year wallabies r not looking good
Intotouch
Guest
Spencer you make a valid point about responsibility and pressure. What have you got against Leinster though? I'd understand it from a Munster supporter but really..
Mr Saunders
Roar Guru
Elsom has only been captain for a short period. Let's not forget that he wasn't as highly regarded prior to his sojourn in Dublin than he was following his sojourn in Dublin. Obviously there are various potential reasons for this: a) the rugby he played was easier (Magner's League), b: Leinster used him more intelligently than either Australia or the Brumbies, c) the British media overhyped his performances. I think it's a combination of all three. Elsom isn't as good as some people like to think he is, and he happens to play for a generally unsuccessful Super side, and captain a poor (in comparative terms) national side. Therefore he's not going to start influencing matches a la Richie McCaw overnight.
mcxd
Guest
throwing the cat amoungst the pidgeons there Spencer.. Ive heard that arguement before but really a team that won the HC is hardly 4th grade subbies.
Spencer
Guest
Captaining Australia Vs playing a cameo for a two-bit Irish club...I wonder if the pressures are similar?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
You are right, Peter K - a captain needs to be in a position as close as possible to the ref. Sean Fitzpatrick played in the hitherto unknown position of 'right pocket" - where the ref kept his whistle! As Farr-Jones commented, on his retirement, "Sean is the best ref I ever played against."
Who Needs Melon
Guest
I'd love to see some sort of statistical analysis of (a) his games for Leinster , (b) his games for the Brumbies and (c) his games for the Wallabies. Number of hit ups, metres gained, offloads, tackles, rucks and mauls, lienout takes, etc. But I'd also like to see some analysis (and stats if possible) of WHERE he is being played. I get the feeling he is better suited playing wider, being allowed to build up a head of steam and allowed some space to run. Instead I feel he is 'covering' for others who also want to this role and are neglecting the basic grunt work of contesting rucks. I guess this is again symptomatic of us having too many of the same type of players - Sharpe, Mumm, Elsom, Brown. Pocock seems to have his speciality which is contesting every ruck but the others seem to all be a bit of this and bit of that.
Even looser
Guest
I think I'd prefer my Captain not to be smiling or too happy when his team is under performing. Same when the team plays well, as it just makes him look like a smug smart arse. Hang on he's doing that. Having said that, I'd also like to see the Skip make a point of complimenting the opposition team more on occassions. Or at least thank them for showing up.
Ben J
Guest
I wonder what the mood is like in the Wallaby camp at the moment? Remember, winners are grinners...
Intotouch
Roar Rookie
I looked back at two of the Leinster tv interviews on the website and this is definitely not my imagination. The man used to smile and move his head while talking. He looked human. How long has he been miserable? I'm sorry to hear that the man has been badly criticized by the press in Australia. In playing for Leinster he gave his all at every match (even if his form was off initially) and was popular with the team. That an overseas player would work so hard for this team was noted and appreciated by the fans. There are only five non Leinster men on the Leinster squad (only one player from Munster that I am aware of) let alone non Irish players and the fans are always worried when someone pops up from abroad that he'll coast it for a year. He is greatly respected in Ireland. As for making a great captain if he has the respect of his team mates and makes intelligent decisions isn't that the most important thing? Viewers like to see captains being talkative to their team mates or to a ref to reassure themselves that the man is fulfilling his role but really it can be the other way around. Just because someone is speaking doesn't mean that what he's saying is helpful. I rarely see BOD do much banter. He sometimes smiles and jokes with people on the pitch though. I really think that only someone playing a team can gauge if someone is a good captain or not. Having said all this the inteviewer was female so perhaps he was smiling because he wasn't thinking just about the rugby?
Damo
Guest
If only he could get some of his Wallaby mates to eat meat.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I think against Ireland he did some good things. He was much more active. I think some people have it right though. We need more workrate from our tight 5. I am constantly seeing Rocky the man making the hard inside tackle against the props and also doing alot of the regular clearout. That would detract from the game of even a great ball runner like Rocky. If we get more tight 5 workrate he will have more time to get intothe spaces he needs. On the odd occasion he has this year that run hasnt deserted him much, just not enough of it. I for one rate Rocky, ACC and Pocock as the best effort players the Wallabies have atm. Robinson would be included when he returns from inury. We need a couple more effort guys in the tight 5. I noticed him talking to his team as a group and even one on one with key guys like Cooper a lot more than other times on Sat night against Ireland, thats a good sign. He's taking it seriously and trying to impart some of his heart for hard aggreessive rugby. Good thing. I remember him grilling someone after a penalty and thinking - if that massive, productive, angry rugby player was my captain I think I'd do whatever he said. As for captain, I dont think he's a long term solution - hes a perfect VC. But hes the only guy who can stand up to the job at the moment. Media interviews aside.
Amateur Hour
Guest
After watching Gregan orchestrate matches and provide helpful "advice" to the referee, I don't think that Wallaby Captains should play any other position than scrum half. If only we could find a similar scrum half that looks like he's going to be in the team for a while...
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
Elsom's always been laconic and difficult to interview. Even after the Heineken Cup final - mentioned above - the interviewer basically cut it short because getting Rocky to emote was like getting blood from a stone. He's your typically taciturn colonial frontiersman. Probably wrestles crocs for his dinner.
Behind Enemy Lines
Guest
Compare how Leinster played that season to how the Wallabies are playing now. That's what happened to him.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Rocky is World Class, he gives his all every game, he is there for his mates in the trenches and he doesn't understand the lacklustre team he has around him. There are some rotten eggs undermining every thing that he, Dingo, Pocock, O'Connor, Brown, AAC amongst others want to achieve. We need some hard heads in there sorting out the negative disruptive element. The teamwork, support, throw your body into the tackle edge is not there and he knows it. I doubt if he is an overly proud man but what he has had to make excuses for would suck the life out of anyone. I hope this conditioning they are doing now will give the 'Rugby' element a chance sort out a few of the bad apples because attitude is everything and without it we may as well concede the 3N now. On a positive note we still have the sick bay to clean out so with luck we may assemble a competitive squad. But realistically if we haven't got 30 odd starters then sack those who are sucking up oxygen and go with a smaller squad. Some players are there on reputation alone. New Blood please!
Jason
Guest
Too much rugby - effectively he's played three seasons back-to-back. The man just needs a rest. Of course I get the feeling he's privately not too impressed with the effort and professionalism of some of his team mates.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I remember the interview after the Heineken Cup final and how cheery he looked and it certainly doesn't seem like the same man. Being thrown in to take over a team in disarray with huge dissent from the firing of Tuqiri and a subsequent unhappiness especially among the senior players, then losing matches and being pilloried in the press and made to shoulder much of the blame, that can all break a man even as rugged as rocky.
JK
Guest
He should have come back to the Tah's