Rivals heap praise on Wallaby Elsom

Wallabies flanker Rocky Elsom has always been a leader, with or without the Australian captaincy, and the superlative example he sets has helped develop the loose forwards he will oppose at Eden Park on Saturday.

Elsom’s short stint playing club rugby for Leinster Rugby Club in Dublin in 2008/09 has left a deep impression on his former teammates and opponents - several of whom will line up for Ireland in their critical Pool C encounter with the Wallabies.

One such player is loose forward Dennis Leamy, who had nothing but praise for the former Australian skipper after taking him on in the Magners League three years ago.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play against a lot of very good back rowers over the last few years and he’s certainly right up at the top,” Leamy said.

“He’s just got a fantastic engine on him. He’s a tall man who’s good in the lineout. He’s extremely strong on the ball. There are not many weaknesses to his game and he has a big influence in games.”

Elsom’s time at Leinster may have been short but it certainly wasn’t short on success.

Left a legacy
During his one season in Dublin, the 28-year-old was named player of the year in the Magners League and played a significant role in inspiring the club to their first Heineken Cup, an achievement that Leamy said has had lasting repercussions.

“He brought on the guys around him in the Leinster pack and he’s left a bit of a legacy there.”

Players to benefit include up-and-coming Irish loose forwards Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien, who played alongside Elsom in Dublin.

“You can see that Jamie and Sean were obviously a bit younger than him and he’s rubbed off on them definitely,” Leamy said.

“You can see the dynamic it has brought to their game. The way they play is very like what Rocky does now.”

Heaslip, who started at number 8 for Ireland in their RWC 2011 victory over USA on Sunday, hopes to "out-Rocky Rocky" on the weekend but admits he still has a lot to learn from the Australian.

Said Heaslip: “Rocky is right up there with the best players I’ve ever played with or played against and he’s sure to be a handful for us.”