Australia coach Robbie Deans is confident star flanker Rocky Elsom will be fit for next week’s crucial clash against New Zealand in Sydney. Elsom, who re-signed with the ARU in June after a hugely successful stint with Leinster, suffered bone bruising in his right knee at the end of last season.

But in a major boost for the Wallabies, the imposing 26-year-old completed his first full team session on Tuesday, leaving Deans optimistic he will have his most damaging forward at his disposal next Saturday.

“Yeah he’s very confident at the moment so yes,” Deans said when asked if Elsom is almost certain to be available for selection. “So long as there’s no setback between now and next week I’d imagine he’ll probably be considered.

“It’s been quite frustrating for him, it was a significant injury that was more complex and sinister than we first thought.

“But he’s now back out there and is enjoying being back out there and he’s been able to up the ante in terms of the amount of work he’s done.”

While Deans concedes Elsom is a key figure, he warned not to expect miracles in what would be his first competitive outing in almost three months.

“He was a big part of our game last year when he was fit . . . it won’t be easy for him because it’s been a while since he’s played, so to expect him to come back and have an immediate effect would be unrealistic probably,” he said.

“He’s a good forward, he’s smart, he’s good on the organisational detail and he’s got a presence which the players around him enjoy. He enjoys mixing it and that’s a good quality in Test match rugby.”

A cautious Elsom insisted he ‘didn’t have a problem’ getting through the rigorous Thursday session, but admitted he’s not sure if he would be able to last the full 80 minutes if selected to face the Kiwis.

“It feels fine at the moment so I’m pretty happy with it,” he said. “I don’t know how it’s going to go but we’ll see how it is.”