Rocky Elsom is on the verge of making his first Waratahs appearance in four years but the NSW captain is no certainty to start against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday night.
Elsom has finally overcome the shoulder and leg injuries which have plagued him since last year’s Rugby World Cup and is expected to get the green light to play the Rebels in Sydney.
Waratahs coach Michael Foley confirmed on Sunday the former Wallabies skipper was well on track to make his long-awaited comeback after increasing his training capacity in the past fortnight.
“He’s been training very well with the team in the past two weeks,” Foley told AAP.
“We expect to see a little bit more again this week.”
But the tremendous form of incumbent No.6 Dave Dennis, who scored a blistering try in the 23-18 win over the Western Force on Friday night, means Elsom might have to bide his time on the bench.
Foley said he’ll be led by medical advice on the controversial 75-Test flanker before likely waiting an extra day to name his team on Thursday.
“We’ll certainly consider (Elsom starting) once we know where he’s at,” he said.
“We’re certainly pleased with the form of the players in the back row.
“Chris Alcock did very well against an all-Wallabies back row, Dave Dennis is one of our form players and Cliffy Palu made a really big impact against the Force.
“Rocky is definitely going to be considered for the match day squad. It may be that he comes off the bench.”
Elsom played the last of his 66 games for the Waratahs in their 2008 final loss to the Crusaders under current Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie.
He returned to Super Rugby with the Brumbies in 2010 following a highly-acclaimed stint with Irish club Leinster, being named European player of 2009 as he played a pivotal role in Leinster claiming the European Cup.
But an injury-plagued 2011, when he appeared just once for the struggling Brumbies, prompted the Canberra franchise to release the 29-year-old before he was also dumped as Test captain by Robbie Deans three weeks before the World Cup.
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