Waratahs in talks with Rocky Elsom

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Waratahs in talks with Rocky Elsom

Article Published: Tuesday 26 April 2011

The Waratahs have been holding talks with Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom about a move back to Sydney to play for his old club.

Elsom has yet to play for the Brumbies this season and they do not know when he will return from injury.

The Waratahs plan to use the funds they would have spent on retaining Rebels bound Kurtley Beale on securing Elsom with an attractive offer.

If Elsom returns to Sydney to play for the Waratahs he will join his Brumbies and former Waratahs teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper

"He is a quality player and you are always interested in quality players," Waratahs coach Chris Hickey told FoxSports.

"We are aware that Rocky is off contract this year and he is a player who has played over 60 games for the Waratahs before he went overseas."

"We have had some very preliminary discussions with him, nothing more than that to see where he is at and what he is interested in."

Brumbies CEO Andrew Fagan said that they have held talks with Elsom, "But for a couple of reasons neither of us was able to commit," Fagan said.

"First of all Rocky was having ongoing discussions with the ARU so until he finalises his position there, there are obviously uncertainties as to whether he will be in Australia or overseas."

Fagan said that the Brumbies priority was to appoint their new head coach and give him as much ability as possible to have a say on his playing staff.

"Once we have our head coach on board we will be able to engage in those discussions a little more positively," he said.

"He is open to explore other options, so none of that comes as a surprise nor a concern," Fagan said of the Waratahs' interest.

The Brumbies are expected to name Jake White as new head coach on a four year deal by the end of the week..

Hickey admitted that he is still in the dark about which was which way Elsom will go.

"He may come back and say he is very happy at the Brumbies and is not looking for a move - or he may come back and be interested," Hickey said.

"Rocky hasn't given us any indications one way or the other. We'll just have to wait and see how that one unfolds."

Source: superxv.com