Elsom's dukes up for selection

Greg Growden in Cape Town Chief Rugby Correspondent | August 21, 2008


THE Wallabies' plan to confront the Springbok menace with their own brand of fire and brimstone was bolstered yesterday when Rocky Elsom and James Horwill shook off their leg braces and suddenly became hopefuls for the Durban Test on Saturday.

Blindside breakaway Elsom and second-rower Horwill played important roles in the last major training session before the Australian team was due to be selected on Thursday (South Africa time).

It had appeared they were only outside chances of playing, especially as both appeared at Sydney training sessions wearing foot braces. At the time, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans all but ruled Elsom out of this weekend's international, believing he would overcome his ankle injury in time only for the August 30 Test in Johannesburg.

However, Deans is now optimistic Elsom will be available for Saturday's Test. A fit Elsom is an almost certain selection given his his lineout, foraging and ball skills.
Elsom and Horwill took part in lineout drills and scrummaging work at the training session, held at Cape Town's exclusive Bishops School in the shadows of Table Mountain.

Horwill has been troubled by a bruised bone in his left foot but was adamant he would be available for the Durban Test.

"The rest has done my foot a lot of good," he said yesterday. "The foot grumbles a bit, but that's pretty much as expected. So I can't see any reason why it will keep me out."

Deans was enthused to see Elsom and Horwill contributing at training, because he knows the Wallabies must have all their confrontational players on hand if they are to enjoy a rare triumph on South African soil.

"The fact that they're out here and doing it is good," Deans said. "It means they are both a chance. They are possibilities. But the key will be how they report the day after training."

Deans said it was vital that a commonsense approach was taken with each player. "The injuries have to be managed, because we don't want to suffer a setback and [then] need an operation," he said. "We've got to be sensible about it as there's still quite a bit of footy to come."

The only player out of contention for the Test is fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has a broken hand, but Deans hopes he will be fit to play in Johannesburg.

Deans said he wasn't surprised by the Springboks team named by coach Peter de Villiers, who has persevered with several players under threat of losing their spots after the home side was kept scoreless by the All Blacks at Newlands last weekend.
Joe van Niekerk was expected to be picked ahead of the ineffective Pierre Spies at No.8, but was named on the bench.

However, one enforced change was the introduction of Jongi Nokwe to replace the injured winger Bryan Habana.

"That's not good for them, because [Habana] is a remarkable player," Deans said. "But it doesn't change our challenge and focus, because we have to maximise what we bring to the game. When we pick our team, we won't be contemplating theirs."
The Springboks have already implied they will play an expansive game to make up ground on the Tri Nations ladder. De Villiers has been talking all week about how his side has to be expressive, because "we have the most skilful players in the world".
But some South African supporters believe the Springboks will instead revert to type and wage a traditional battle of attrition up front to gain the ascendancy.