Whitaker: Rocky is ready to rumble

LEINSTER scrum-half Chris Whitaker wants to make a winning departure from the province with this weekend’s Heineken Cup final, and he backs fellow Australian Rocky Elsom to make a significant contribution to the Irish side’s chances of beating Leicester this weekend in Edinburgh.

“Rocky is probably the most dominant player on the field I’ve ever played with,” says Whitaker. “He makes an impact in everything he does. He covers ground, he runs the ball, he makes tackles and he’s world class, if not quite world’s best.”

The Australian Rugby Union are doing everything they can to lure Elsom home in good time to prepare for the 2011 World Cup but the picture will remain unclear until after Saturday’s final. Whitaker is non-committal on the matter, noting that Elsom and All Black Dan Carter have enjoyed themselves in the Northern Hemisphere.