ROCKY ELSOM insisted he harbours no bitterness towards Australia coach Robbie Deans despite being replaced as captain three weeks ahead of the World Cup.
Deans yesterday took the shock decision to replace Elsom as captain with James Horwill when announcing his 30-man squad for the tournament in New Zealand.
While Elsom has been plagued by injury all year and his spot in the starting side has increasingly come under pressure due to the form of Scott Higginbotham, there was no indication his position as captain was in jeopardy, especially after his strong performance against South Africa at the weekend.
A philosophical Elsom claimed, however, he would now knuckle down and focus on playing matters. The Brumbies blindside flanker said: “It’s just the way it goes. I mean it’s in the nature of the sport, it’s just part and parcel of it. I don’t know if disappointed is the right term, but I think it is what it is and we’ve just got to get on with it.”
Deans admitted he had been agonising over the decision for a while but praised Elsom’s reaction to his demotion. And he is confident the 28-year-old will not dwell on it and will swiftly return to his best without the burden of the captaincy.
“It’s part of the brief. You’ve got to do what you believe is right in the interests of the team,” Deans said. “Obviously it wouldn’t have been his preference, but I guess it was made easier by his response.”
Horwill said Elsom was the first person he spoke to when learning of the news and admitted he would base much of his captaincy style on his predecessor. “I think he is a great leader and someone this team needs as part of this group to move forward and be successful.”
As expected, there was no place in the squad for utility back Matt Giteau but Deans was adamant he has not fallen out with the veteran playmaker.
The 30-man Wallabies squad will assemble in Brisbane on Sunday ahead of their Tri Nations finale against the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on August 27th.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Forwards: Saia Faingaa, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, James Slipper, Salesi Maafu, Sekope Kepu, Dan Vickerman, James Horwill (captain), Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Scott Higginbotham, Ben McCalman, Wycliff Palu, Radike Samo. Backs: Will Genia, Luke Burgess, Nick Phipps, Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Digby Ioane, James OConnor, Kurtley Beale, Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne.
