Bret Harris From: The Australian August 20, 2011 12:00AM

New coach Michael Foley yesterday promised fans the Waratahs will be more attacking next season Picture: Damian Shaw Source: The Daily Telegraph

NSW Waratahs new head coach Michael Foley hopes to know within two weeks whether sacked Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom will rejoin the Super Rugby team.

Foley, who has succeeded Chris Hickey at NSW on a three-year deal, has been a big admirer of Elsom's since he coached the Wallabies forwards from 2006 to 2008.

Elsom was keen to move back to Sydney after spending two seasons at the Brumbies, but negotiations broke down with NSW management weeks ago.

However, Foley's promotion from assistant to head coach has seen the reopening of negotiations with Elsom, who is considering offers to play in France after the World Cup.

The addition of former Leinster backs coach Alan Gaffney, currently with the Irish national team, to the Waratahs' coaching staff would also strengthen the club's ties with Elsom.

"We have a backrow spot available and we are looking for a player of high quality," Foley said.

"Rocky is a guy we have had discussions with and I hope those discussions will be ongoing.

"Rocky is not just a Wallaby, but a leader. He would add a lot. We hope to finalise our squad in the next couple of weeks."

The return of Elsom, who played for the Waratahs from 2003 to 2008 before inspiring Leinster to Heineken Cup glory, would be an enormous boost to the team's chances of winning the title.

NSW already boasts a forward pack which includes Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Dan Vickerman, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Dave Dennis and possibly Sitaleki Timani.

While the Waratahs have lost fullback Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels) and halfback Luke Burgess (Toulon), they have gained Adam Ashley-Cooper and South African Sarel Pretorius.

"Clearly, Kurtley is a loss. Luke's a loss. But we have players that can more than cover their presence," Foley said.

Foley, conscious of the need to satisfy a Sydney public that demands entertaining rugby, foreshadowed a change in the Waratahs' style of play.

The Waratahs will look to emulate the Super Rugby title-winning Reds' contestable kicking game and ability to change strategies from week to week.

The appointment of Gaffney, known for his attacking philosophy, was also an indication of the way the Waratahs would play. "I look at the Reds and how they used a kicking game this year to actually regain possession," Foley said. "We used a kicking game to get rid of possession.

"We've got to be a bit more flexible in our thinking on the field and a little bit more flexible in our thinking off the field to get the most out of the group."

With the retirement of Phil Waugh, Foley will create a core of leaders before deciding on a new skipper.

Hickey, who guided the Waratahs to the playoffs twice in three years, told the club a few months ago he would not seek an extension of his contract. "I'd like to stay involved in coaching, whether that's in Australia or overseas remains to be seen," Hickey said.


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226118441006