Ireland-based star flanker Rocky Elsom set for Wallabies comeback

[travelling_gerry]

By Iain Payten
April 03, 2009 Rocky Elsom is close to returning to Australia permanently after a meeting between the star flanker, Robbie Deans and Australian Rugby Union bosses John O'Neill and David Nucifora in London this week.

And if a deal can be reached in time, Elsom could possibly switch from the Barbarians and play against them for the Wallabies in the opening Test in June.
Speculation emerged last week that Elsom was hoping to play with the Wallabies this winter before returning for a second season at Leinster, where the 26-year-old is playing.

That proposal was not raised by Elsom at the meeting, however, and the outstanding forward confirmed his "primary objective" was to play for the Wallabies.
"I definitely want to play for the Wallabies, and play in the 2011 World Cup," Elsom said from Dublin.

The 40-Test star has been in exceptional form for Leinster, and the Irish province are desperate to retain him.

But Elsom has been in contact with the ARU since leaving late last year and flew to London following his man-of-the-match performance against Ulster last Sunday night.
There he met Deans, Nucifora and briefly O'Neill, who were attending an IRB laws summit.

"We had a good chat," high-performance boss Nucifora said.
"It was all positive and now it is just a matter of Rocky deciding what he wants to do."

Nucifora said Elsom didn't ask for a dispensation to Wallabies eligibility criteria that excludes overseas-based players.

"I think he knows better. He didn't bring that up," Nucifora said.

Whether Elsom will also return to the New South Wales Waratahs remains unclear.
He said he will pick a province on his return home, if and when a deal is struck.

The Irish season concludes by May 24. Though already invited to play for the Baabaas on June 6, Elsom could play a club rugby game and be eligible for the Wallabies instead.

In further good news for the Wallabies, Luke Burgess is understood to have agreed to a new deal that will see him re-sign with the ARU until 2011.

And the Tri-Nations will continue to use all the ELVs this winter, despite a handful being rejected in London this week.


http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html

[.X.]

Rocky 6, Bam Bam 7, Brown-Dog 8

Now thats a combination I could get used too.

[The Man]

Lets hope out of this we can push for a global season!

It is crazy our game isn't better organised!

We shouldn't be picking players for the Wallabies from OS for as long as we can , so it will be interesting what sort of Rocky can get from the ARU

[Burgs]

I think it is vital for Rocky to come home to maintain the integrity of the selection process.
It would be a really dangerous precedent to allow him two years away and then see him waltz back into RWC contention.
Not only unfair on those who committed to seeing out the period on less money in Australia but would be the thin edge of the wedge in terms of selecting overseas players as the norm.

Agreed re global season , but going on the meeting earlier this week I think that would see the SH playing through Summer at this point in time.

[zimeric]

further to the whole OS based wallaby issue if he is indeed going to be coming back to play locally for a period i REALLY REALLY do think he would look better in Blue & Balck

[Garfiep]

me thinks he may be comming our way - the ARU need 4 strong franchises and he will attract and retain class

[blueandblack]

... i REALLY REALLY do think he would look better in Blue & Balck

leave me outta this please!

[/entendre]

[Burgs]

Brace yourself BnB

[prop53]

Show me the MONEY