Elsom to captain Waratahs in Super Rugby

Memo Mr Foley...don't allow your side to have an unexpected loss early in the comp, especially against a side from further south whom you expect to beat easily, even if there are some funny ref calls that contribute to it...as you now have two of the significant player power exponents from 2011 in your side. Surely however, the Tahs board could not be as susceptible to that sort of influence as the Brums board....could it? Any coaching jobs available to the north??

Your being a bit over the top Level headed and this belies your name. IMO I doubt that the opposition fear him. The Irish love him because he played well in Ireland. However he hasn't played as well since being back. That's just the fact of the matter, and couple that with his truculent attitude, maybe that's why so many are against him being the Captain of the Tahs. It is the opinion of others that there are a few 6s that were playing better than Rocky in the last few seasons and they didn't get a look in, I am of that opinion. I hope for the Tahs and their fans that he stands up and becomes the player that he was in Ireland. He IMO hasn't shown that form since he came back to Australia. Perhaps this will be his year?

Well said!

Good call Ben W and what a player he has been for our Country - sad when supporters of other Clubs find it difficult to show humility! The bloke has been running around with most of his hamstring hanging off - his peers love to play for him and his opppsition fear him. The Irish love him, but once again we slam him. They want him - why don't we? Tall poppy syndrome - no class, support our stars, we are all different, embrace difference and encourage diversity. This lad could be your son, mate, nephew or potential son in-law - they are human! What would you think if some of this rubbish was written about you????

All good, measured points, Jameswm. I'm happy to see someone actually admit to not knowing the scoop from the inner sanctum at Moore Park...apparently most Roarers today believe they know what all the other players are thinking!!! Who knows if we've got the Rocky that we like to remember from the old days or if he's going to be a liability like he was to the Brumbies...only time will tell

Yep, most teams shoot themselves in the foot occasionally...only the Tahs can shoot themselves in both feel...LOL

KG, they removed Mumm but anointed Elsom...you don't see any issues...?

There are some bad wraps on Rocky: - warms up by himself - more worried about himself than the team - not a communicator However if the opinions of people like Vickerman, TPN and Barnes were canvassed and they were in favour, then maybe they know more than we/I do. I was pretty staggered when I heard about this, as any ot those three would be better choices IMHO. However Rocky is worshipped in Ireland, and was one of the gutsiest and most committed Tahs forwards before he went overseas. Maybe he's got his mojo and focus back, and those in the group know this. At his best, he is very intense and completely committed to his team and the task. The Tahs are shaping up well for the year. Captaincy and coaching (esp in the backs) are my two main queries. Can they play an effective ball in hand game? Are the skills there?

Theres a reason the Brumbies didn't want him. He was only there in the first place because he thought they would win the Premership in 2010. When it was obvious that wasn't going to happen he spent the rest of the contract talking about how badly injured he was (was always miraculously un-injured for Wallabies matches though). The man is not a team player. Appointing him captain after Phil Waugh (a man who gave 110% every single time he pulled on the Sky Blue jersey) is a joke. Really poor decision by the Tahs. Lets just hope he decides he can play more than 30 minutes for them all season this year.

Oh ye of little faith. I just love it when people get stuck-in & say negative stuff because it makes victory taste all the sweeter. Many Tahs fans were calling for changes in the past and instead of changes we were just given more of the same. We all know the old saying about conducting the same experiment in the same way and expecting different results. Well could it not be that new coach Michael Foley and the senior players group actually know a thing or two about Rugby and in 2012 plan to implement and audacious plan? See http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby-gold I'll admit that the idea of different Captains for different games doesn't sit all that comfortably with me but it could be how many teams play in the future, what do I know? Facts are I'm not in charge and I'm willing to gives Foles & Co and the boys my total support. Come on the Tahs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope that he has a great season at the Tahs, and fulfils the potential that eluded him down here, in Canberra (and come to think of it, at the Wallabies, too), A feature of captaincy is that they expect you to play a few games now and then, Rocky, unless, I am missing something in the modern game - maybe you can be captain in name only and rule from the sideline, but surely not. Maybe you can just run the team by Twitter or Facebook or some such. Come to think of it, maybe the Tahs could just appoint some sheila to run things, and they could all get in touch with their feminine sides - couldn't do any worse!!

amazing. Brumbies don't want him so lets make him skipper. Hope he proves us wrong but this is a silly call.

god i hate the tahs. glad to see the back of him from the brumbies. better off without him

Ha! Got to love the Tahs!

Has he ever played better as Captain of any team he has been in? I thought he was much better as just a player, Barnes should be captain

Good luck Rocky. Prove your detractors who are passing judgement from the cheap seats wrong.

Rocky Elsom is the captain of the Waratahs, and will probably play 6. Thats fine because he has been shaked off 3 takcles down the short side against the All Blacks which lead to tries, most recently in the semi final. He is a bad defender and bad sports man, remember how he forced Conrads Smiths jaw down towards to the ground in a very unfair position, tactless and hopeless. Waratahs to be another aussie almost side along with the Force the others should do alright. Just watch the first game of the 3N last year and see how many tackles he slipps off then stands out of the way of impending action. He is simply past his best.

Give it up John - people who feel they need to blame others obviously have cracked mirrors. Surely you have bigger issues it appears!! Give it up the role is very different from the "60's!

The Warathas have lost my support 2012, what a joke the administration is, they are complete fools.

I just posted this on another article and think it is better suited here. The Waratahs are at it again, bumbling around trying to run a rugby side. The decision to anoint Elsom as the captain would have to be as stated the dumbest decision made by the Waratahs in the last 20 years. Elsom doesn’t actually like playing rugby he just loves the thought of it as shown last year. Petulant, arrogant, selfish are just a few of the adjectives that might describe Elsom as viewed from afar. Now this might be totally different if we were in the squad as we don’t know from our position. However somehow I don’t think we are too far off the mark judging on some of the actions reported on last year. IMO I would have opted for Barnes as the captain and if you wanted a leader in the forwards make Elsom his offsider. Even that is fraught with silliness as he won’t be available until the 5th round as reported. The only thing I can say about this rumored decision is that Forwards love Forwards. Foley being a forward can’t see past that. As I have stated this is just too silly for words. If they go ahead with this decision the Waratahs deserve all the misfortune that they will achieve. If you are going to make a ligitimate run at the finals and try and win the comp at least make some intelligent decisions first up. Why am I getting so het up about this, this is the Waratahs all over again each year and every year for some considerable time now. It must be really frustrating for their loyal fans, I feel sorry for them.