Elsom harbours no grudge against Deans

ROCKY ELSOM insisted he harbours no bitterness towards Australia coach Robbie Deans despite being axed as captain three weeks ahead of the World Cup.

Deans yesterday took the shock decision to replace Elsom as skipper with James Horwill when announcing his 30-man squad for the tournament in New Zealand.

A philosophical Elsom 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. Kevvy’s (Horwill) done a great job for us in the short time he’s been back this year, he’s been pretty solid the whole season. Everyone in the side wants the same thing and we’re pushing very hard for that.”

Deans admitted he had been agonising over the decision for a while but praised Elsom’s reaction to his demotion.

“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.

“It just goes to show where his head is at. It was an impressive response. He (Elsom) simply said ‘Whatever’s in the best interests of the team’ and I think you’ll see an impressive Rocky Elsom in the next few weeks. He can now really concentrate on getting himself in the right shape without having any peripheral demands."