- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Rocky Elsom in action during the Tri-Nations rugby Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, July 24, 2010. The Wallabies ran the world champion Springboks into submission to win the second Tri-nations rugby Test 30-13. (AAP Image/Patrick Hamilton)
Rival skippers John Smit and Rocky Elsom have a lot to prove in Durban tonight. Both are under the pump to retain their status with the Rugby World Cup only 27 days away.
Smit, who had dreams of winning Wimbledon as a kid, has led the Boks an international rugby record 76 times. Elsom will be in charge of the Wallabies for the 24th time.
Smit’s leadership is under threat from Bulls captain Victor Matfield, but Elsom has three breathing down his neck – David Pocock, James Horwill, and Will Genia.
Smit’s 76 internationals at the helm has netted 54 wins, for 21 losses, and a 30-30 draw with France – a 77% win ratio, tidy by any standards.
His position strengthened by leading the Boks to 2007 World Cup success, and the Tri-Nations in 2004, and 2009 – runner-up in 2005.
Smit’s record against the Wallabies – 10 wins, six losses.
Against the All Blacks – six wins, eight losses.
Against England – six wins, two losses.
And France – one win, three losses, and a draw.
Elsom’s 23 for 12 wins, 10 losses, and a 20-20 draw with Ireland – a 52% win ratio, clearly not good enough.
And a crack has appeared in coach Robbie Deans’ armour covering for Elsom. So adamant he should be captain two months ago, Deans has recently been quoted as saying Elsom, like everyone else, is a week-by-week proposition.
Which suggests another loss tonight will be the end of the road for Rocky Elsom as captain, but he should be in the final 30 for the RWC. Besides, he’s a much better player without the responsibilities of leadership.
His captaincy record against the Boks – three wins, one loss.
Against the All Blacks – one win, five losses.
Against England – two wins, two losses.
And France – one win.
In the wash-up John Smit can feel fairly comfortable, but Rocky Elsom will forever rue two internationals against the All Blacks that got away, the 21-20 loss to England at Stadium Australia that should have been a win, so too the draw with Ireland – and the two shockers, losing to Scotland, and Samoa.
It’s all on the line tonight for the big bloke.