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.”