Stephen Moore backs Rocky Elsom as skipper of Wallabies for RWC 2011- Rugby News
The veteran hooker of the Wallabies, Stephen Moore, has backed their current captain Rocky Elsom to lead the Australians in the forthcoming Rugby World Cup 2011. Moore told the reporters on August 13 that Rocky Elsom is highly respected by his team-mates
and all the players want to see him as their captain during the world showpiece of 2011. Wallabies coach, Robbie Deans, is expected to announce their 30-member RWC squad on August 18. Rocky Elsom’s leadership is under stern criticism followed two big defeats
in their last three outgoings.
Elsom, who is also known as Big Rock, made his comeback into the side after a long absence due to lower limb injury, started off his fresh era with a stunning defeat by Samoa on July 17. He helped his side with an impressive victory over the Springboks during
the first match of Tri-Nations Cup on July 23 but yet again was overpowered by the All Blacks on August 6.
Supporting his skipper, Stephen Moore said that Rocky Elsom is coming back from a devastating injury of the lower limb which definitely takes time to recover and he working on his fitness. Moore further said that, “He's the captain of the side and he's got
the full support of the team as well. He was injured for the entire Super Rugby season, so he hasn't had a lot of rugby under his belt and you don't just click your fingers. I can guarantee he's doing everything he can to make up for the time that he was out
of the game.”
Moore discarded the criticism by various circles targeting Elsom and said that, “He's been a great mate over a long period of time. But sometimes when a player is injured you don't want them hanging around all the time. So there's no issue there at all.”
Elsom has led his side in 23 international matches and the victory ratio is a little over half. He has managed to carry the day 12 times and bit the dust on 10 occasions and remained hanging in the balance in one outgoing against Ireland.
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