Elsom to be solid as a rock

Euan Megson

• Last Updated: November 06. 2009 9:47PM UAE / November 6. 2009 5:47PM GMT

Rocky Elsom will shoulder the daunting task of re-igniting Australia’s fortunes and shepherding them to a new era of dominance. David Rogers / Getty Images

As Australia face England at Twickenham today in the opening game of their Grand Slam tour of the home nations, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is predicting new captain Rocky Elsom’s return to the northern hemisphere will be a triumphant one.

Elsom, who re-signed with the Australian Rugby Union fraternity last summer after guiding Leinster to Heineken Cup glory, will spearhead Australia’s defence of the Cook Cup against Martin Johnson’s depleted hosts.

“Rocky is an influential character,” said Deans. “He’s a strong man with a strong mind and is a good bloke to have alongside you. He doesn’t like to give ground and has the ability to inspire till the end – his teammates feed off that.”

Deans feels his new captain is more than capable of succeeding Stirling Mortlock at the Wallabies helm, and believes the right man is shouldering the daunting task of re-igniting Aussie fortunes and shepherding them to a new era of global dominance.

“The captaincy is a new experience for him but he’s taken to it pretty well,” said Deans. “He hasn’t tried to be something he’s not, he’s just kept doing what he does. We don’t want him to call all the shots because he has a ‘C’ beside his name.”

Despite a raft of England withdrawals and injuries, Deans believes defeating Johnson’s side, who welcome back influential fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, will be Australia’s most difficult task of the four-game tour.

“England at Twickenham is the toughest game – that’s the way it is,” said Deans. “There’s no balance to be struck between rebuilding and winning and we’ll have to earn everything we get. But we’ve prepared to win the match and that’s what we’re aspiring to do,” added Deans, who is wary of the threat of Wilkinson.

“He essentially won England the World Cup, so inevitably there will be a lot of expectation,” Deans said. “We believe England will be more dangerous with Jonny.”

For his part, Wilkinson acknowledged his much-hyped return to England duty has taken on extra significance because of the opponents.

“When I think about Australia, I think of a certain professionalism, and a major strength in that tactically they can work better than any other team,” said the rejuvenated Toulon player.

“You have to be 100 per cent on your toes. As soon as you’re not, they’ll pull you apart.”

A potential ally of Wilkinson’s in England’s backs could be Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle, who is poised to win a debut England cap today. Erinle’s career, like Wilkinson’s, has been revitalised by a summer move to France.

emegson@thenational.ae