Deans brushes aside Elsom injury concerns

CANBERRA, May 27 (Reuters) - Australia coach Robbie Deans
has dismissed concerns that skipper Rocky Elsom's injury could
rule him out of the World Cup squad amid growing calls for
selectors to name a replacement captain. 

Elsom played his first match in six months in the ACT
Brumbies' 13-13 draw against Western Force at the weekend after
recovering from a troublesome hamstring strain, but faces
another long stint on the sidelines after suffering a high ankle
sprain (syndesmosis) during the match. 

The 28-year-old flanker is a doubt to play another match in
the Super rugby season, raising fears that Australia could head
into the start of the test season in July with the captaincy in
doubt. 
 
"It's syndesmosis, but it is not as sinister as they often
are, which is evident from the fact that Rocky finished the game
(against Perth)," Deans told reporters. 

"We don't believe it will come to (discussing new captains).
He will be fine by the time the (test) program starts. There's
no suggestion from the prognosis that he won't be available." 

The Wallabies kick off their international season against
Samoa on July 17, before matches against South Africa and New
Zealand in an abridged Tri-Nations tournament. The World Cup
starts on Sept. 9.