Elsom snubs ARU
5 Apr 2009
Rocky Elsom won’t return from Leinster to play in Australia despite giving the Australian Rugby Union his word that he would.
The ARU agreed to release Elsom from his contract early on “compassionate grounds” – believed to be related to financial problems caused by a property deal that went bad. The agreement was that he would return for the 2010 Super 14 and be available for Wallaby selection thereafter.
However, Elsom, who is reportedly earning double what is contract with the Waratahs and ARU was worth, never signed the contract and seemingly has no intention of honouring his verbal agreement.
‘Rocky was released on compassionate grounds and was committed to coming back to Australia this June to play for the Wallabies and was released on that basis,’ a source told The Sun-Herald.
‘He gave his word that he was going to come back but nothing was actually signed. It was a massive oversight. He was released on a promise.
‘Rocky’s a pretty complicated bloke and he dragged out negotiations for so long that it [the contract signing] was overlooked. The ARU aren’t happy and understandably so, but it’s all worked out well for Rocky Elsom. Who’s to blame him for taking the massive cash on offer?’
Elsom recently agreed to play for the Barbarians against the Wallabies in June, which was seen as confirmation that his future was in Europe.
‘The understanding of the agreement was that he was meant to be back playing for the Wallabies in June against the Barbarians, so with that in mind, I can’t see him coming back anytime soon,’ the source said.
‘He is already on big money over there and he’s been such a hit that he’s been offered even more to stay, I’d say,’ the source said. ‘And I understand there are no shortage of clubs in Wales, England, France, Japan and elsewhere, who are in the market for his signature. He’s a bloody good rugby player and he has a lot of opportunities to consider.’
“They love him over there and he’s very close to coach Michael Cheika. I think it’s pretty safe to assume he won’t be returning to Australia for a while longer, and that wasn’t the basis on which the ARU agreed to release him. They’re not happy.”
10 Comments
5 Apr 2009, 07:47 am
he will be missed
5 Apr 2009, 08:47 am
Forgot to get him to sign the contract
5 Apr 2009, 09:23 am
How is that for honourable? Very poor Rocky. If you give your word, you keep it.
5 Apr 2009, 10:56 am
Money talks and bullshi&% walks…
5 Apr 2009, 11:47 am
#4 Yetirat: unfortunately so. We have become prostitutes for money with no morals or honour. Pathetic.
5 Apr 2009, 12:19 pm
I actually wrote this for the cricket blog – but what with this little dispute and the headlines in the Sunday newspapers re our esteemed politicians, maybe its worth repeating.
“Thank you Amla and Johnson. You are a credit to the game and a beacon in this day and age of liars and cheats who abound as bankers, politicians and unfortunately sportsmen and women in this world of ours. In the past, cricket was known as the sport in which you “walked” if you knew you were out and you got your just desserts from your fellow players if you didn’t. The loss of that trait and the acceptability of “let’s see what we can get away with” has caused this world to be in the desperate straits that prevail at present.
Thank you once again – and may you remain as role models for your fellow players, fans and kids – something which is sadly lacking at present now that Gilchrist has left the scene.”
5 Apr 2009, 12:49 pm
you should be able to play for any club and also play for your country.
5 Apr 2009, 13:21 pm
ARU should stop whingeing, it’s a professional sport act professionally.
Nine times out of ten the player would keep his word and the union then sprags him. What if Elsom came home and then he wasn’t selected?
ARU should find out who forgot the small matter of signing the contract and discipline him rather than cry over spilt milk.
5 Apr 2009, 13:40 pm
#8 DEE DAH:
what kind of professional organization forgot to get him to sign a contract. there almost as bad as saru.
6 Apr 2009, 18:07 pm
‘contract……agreement’ ?
thats BS. Look, this is now a professional game. If the ARU ‘released’ him from his contract and are now saying there was this clause/Agreement that he didnt sign, then there was NO clause/Agreement and they are now just covering their arse and hanging his out to dry.
Thats Aussies for ya.
Elsom and Dussutoir are the best no6s in World rugby, no wonder his signature was so well sought after. Good for him. But a shame he wont be at the next RWC in NZ, he is a go to player in every sense. I still cant fathom players taking a few more pennies over competing at the highest level.
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