A week after reappearing from the international wilderness, Rocky Elsom has stormed back into global headlines.
The former Wallabies captain, who is treasured in Dublin for his deeds with Leinster, has been issued an international arrest warrant by a French court.
The 41-year-old has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by a French court for forgery, use of forgery and the misuse of corporate assets.
Charges were brought following Elsom’s stint as president of French club Narbonne between 2015 and 2016 – the club he represented for one season in 2014.
Well-known French newspaper Midi Olympique described it as a “catastrophic financial situation”.
Elsom is accused of embezzling around €700,000 (AU$1.36 million) before exiting the club, who were relegated to the third division of French rugby two years later.
Rocky Elsom ahead of the Wallabies’ World Cup quarter-final win over the Springboks at Wellington Regional Stadium on 9th October 2011. Photo: (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
A lawyer in the case told AFP that Elsom is accused of having paid €79k (AU$128k) to a former coach when “nothing could justify it”.
The 75-capped Wallaby, who was stripped of the captaincy for the 2011 World Cup, was also accused of hiring for around €7.2k (AU$11.6k) per month, an individual residing in Australia who “never came to Narbonne” and “did not perform any service” for the club, according to the lawyer.
The president of the court handed down a sentence higher than the prosecutor’s request of two years imprisonment.
Elsom’s fall from grace comes a week after he gave a rare interview with The Sunday Times after quietly remerging in Dublin.
In the interview, Elsom revealed he had started coaching at the Catholic University School while recovering from an injury, having left his construction business in Noosa, Queensland.
“I’m recovering from an injury and this is a good place to be for it,” Elsom told The Sunday Times.
“I had a break in work and thought I should take it. I’m trying to avoid getting cut open again so I’ll just stay here and work on that.
“With the construction business back home, I’ve got people there who are very good. They don’t need me at the moment so I’m happy about that.”
(l-r) Leinster’s Rocky Elsom, Brian O’Driscoll, Felipe Contepomi and Gordon D’Arcy with the Heineken Cup (Photo by Joe Giddens – PA Images via Getty Images)
Elsom, who is a recluse in Australian rugby circles, told his former teammate and Leinster head honcho Leo Cullen that he was due to spend some time in Dublin and had hoped to be involved in some coaching.
Cullen, who was Michael Cheika’s captain when Leinster’s return to the top was cemented when they beat Munster on the way to the Heinekin Cup, obliged and facilitated the Australian’s arrival at Brian Blaney’s CUS.
“I’d rung Leo to see if there was a young pro at Leinster who might be interested in a few coaching hours,” Blaney told The Sunday Times.
“I didn’t expect to get Rocky’s phone number in response. An alarm rang, I’ll be honest. I’m thinking: will he even turn up?
“But he’s been brilliant. He hasn’t missed a session. He’s in after school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays but he’s also doing 7am contact skills sessions, using mats on the floor of the gym, and video analysis sessions, too. We can learn so much from him while he’s here.”
Elsom, who won the man of the match award an incredible 13 of his 20 matches on the way to their 2009 European success, was due to be in the stands at Croke Park for this weekend’s clash of the Irish heavyweights as Leinster take on Munster in front of more than 80,000.
He was signed up to speak as Leinster’s guest for a Q&A alongside former teammates Bernard Jackman, Shane Horgan and Malcolm O’Kelly.
That now looks long odds after his dramatic arrest warrant.
Christy Doranhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2024/10/12/catastrophic-financial-situation-ex-wallabies-captain-issued-arrest-warrant-faces-five-years-in-french-prison/‘Catastrophic financial situation’: Ex-Wallabies captain issued arrest warrant, faces five-years in French prison
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