Wallabies coach Robbie Deans hopeful about Rocky Elsom’s return in RWC squad - Rugby News
Wallabies coach, Robbie Deans, is confident that his key player, Rocky Elsom, will be back in his side before the start of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup. The Australian test skipper is out of action since the last seven months, due to a hamstring injury.
Elsom was a key part of Deans’ team, since he joined the Australian rugby team in 2005. He was side-lined only once in his career, as he preferred to leave for Ireland in 2008. Australia has a strict policy of choosing only those players, who were affiliated
with the board. Elsom returned to base only after a few months’ absence and was included in the national side.
Elsom also plays for Waratahs in the Super Rugby champion’s league and was given charge of the team, in absence of skipper, Phil Waugh, in 2007. The veteran campaigner has participated in 40 matches for his national side, whereas, he has played 64 Super
Rugby games for New South Wales Waratahs.
The Coach expressed his well-wishes for Rocky Elsom and hoped that he be playing for Wallabies, in the largest event of this year. He added, “You could say it is a concern but you could also say he's addressing a challenge that he's had and he's making progress,
so that's good as well.”
Deans admitted that Elsom has not played any match since six months, but he still could assure his place in the side after a quick recovery. The coach argued that there are many examples of such injuries that have kept various players out of action, but
they have come back very strongly. He further added that rugby is a game where injuries are the most common set-back for players.
Australia’s rugby team coach, asserted, “It's fair to say it is a living document. It is dynamic and part of that is injuries and form, and players do challenge us from week to week - they challenge our thinking.”
Rugby World Cup is kicking-off later this September in New Zealand and all the teams have to disclose their final squad, not later than mid-August.
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