ARU wants Elsom decision before Baabaas clash
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) wants to have Rocky Elsom’s future with the Wallabies sorted out well before he plays against them for the Barbarians in June.
Elsom, who was granted an early release from his ARU contract last year to join Irish club team Leinster, has accepted an invitation from the Barbarians to play against Australia.
The versatile forward, capped 55 times by the Wallabies, is yet to decide whether he will return to Australia at the end of the European season in May or take up the option of an additional year with Leinster.
But an ARU spokesman said Elsom’s future would have to be decided well before the Barbarians match, with the Wallabies’ Test season starting against Italy in Canberra the following weekend.
The spokesman said Elsom had been in regular contact with the ARU but gave no indication on which way the 26-year-old was leaning.
Should Elsom opt to return to Australia he could find himself lining up against the Wallabies one week and playing with them the next.
Elsom’s former Super 14 team the Waratahs are likely frontrunners for Elsom’s signature if he does return but Queensland have also indicated they would be interested.
Confirmed as joining Elsom in the historic Barbarians match, the first time the famous club has played on Australian soil, will be former All Blacks Jerry Collins and James Marshall as well as controversial former Bulldogs rugby league player Sonny Bill Williams.
SYDNEY
AAP
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ntentID=133491
