Rocky Elsom signs with Australian Rugby

Australian Rugby Union Media Release:

World-class flanker Rocky Elsom has returned to Australian Rugby – signing a two-year deal that now makes him eligible for inclusion in the 2009 Qantas Wallabies squad.

Elsom today finalised an agreement that will take him through to the end of 2011 and have him playing with the Brumbies in the Super Rugby competition.

Named today in the Barbarians side to play against the Qantas Wallabies at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night, Elsom spent the recently completed northern hemisphere season with the Leinster province in Ireland.

He headed there following the 2008 Tri Nations series, after ARU had granted him an early release on compassionate grounds from the final year of his previous contract.

Elsom indicated at the time he might be back in Australia for the 2009 international program. He said today the lure of the Qantas Wallabies jumper had been overwhelming.

“We made progress last year with the Wallabies and there are exciting challenges ahead in 2009,” said the 40-Test forward.

“Playing for Australia means a lot to me. Playing for the Wallabies is my No.1 priority.”

Now he is signed to ARU, Elsom is eligible for selection in the Qantas Wallabies squad. The timeline on any squad inclusion, and a potential return to the Test side, rests in the hands of the national selectors – Deans, Jim Williams and David Nucifora.

“Any decision on Rocky’s involvement with the Wallabies will be made after Saturday night because we have a game to prepare for against the Barbarians,” said coach Deans.

“We’re pleased to have him back. We’re pleased he’s wanted to come back.”

ARU Managing Director and CEO John O’Neill said Elsom re-signing was “a good news story of massive proportions” for Australian Rugby.

“Let no one try to diminish the importance of this deal,” he said. “When we let Rocky go last year there were personal circumstances that he raised which we took into consideration.

“We did not give him a sabbatical. He was going to be a free agent at the end of 2008. What we did do was act in his best interests and let him head to Ireland early. Rocky has repaid that goodwill by returning when he suggested he might.

“Those who said we would never get him back, and that the ARU mismanaged the situation, were grossly incorrect. Those who said we paid a king’s ransom to get him back are wrong.

“I have seen numbers tossed around that bear absolutely no relationship to reality and Rocky deserves enormous credit in that regard. His negotiations on terms were consistent the whole way through.

“We were hoping Rocky’s desire to play for the Qantas Wallabies would be irresistible and see him back here and available for the 2009 international season. We are delighted to say that situation is where we are today.”