SYDNEY, May 8 (Reuters) - Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and captain Rocky Elsom look set to commit their futures to the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) beyond this year's World Cup.
Back-row forward Elsom, who has yet to take the field this year after struggling with
hamstring and shoulder problems, is the target of several French clubs but said he would prefer to remain at home after leading his country to the World Cup.
"My definite preference is to stay in Australia," the 28-year-old told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I would like to stay and to keep playing. It's just a matter of getting things done.
"It's a little bit like being pregnant -- you are either done or you are not. And I am not. And at the moment, I don't have a due date. That's genuinely the way it is."
New Zealander Deans, who signed a four-deal to coach Australia in December 2007, was more coy than his captain but ARU chief John O'Neill suggested a new contract would be on the table soon.
"It's best to get these things out of the way so they don't become a distraction," O'Neill told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
"I am a great fan of Robbie's and I'm publicly on the record that we've got unfinished business and, whilst we haven't had formal discussions yet, we've had informal deliberations and in the next couple of months we will get to a point of resolution.
"Robbie is certainly keen to stay on for the same reason -- unfinished business."
Australia have gradually improved under Deans after a difficult first year in 2008 and O'Neill is convinced the Wallabies are on the brink of a new golden era.
"It's been fantastic but it's far from done yet," Deans said. "Personally, 2011 is a big priority and I'm not looking beyond that, but I have enjoyed what I've done and I believe I've got a lot more to offer yet.
"If John wants to sit down and talk about beyond the World Cup, I'd be prepared to do that."
By signing an extension with Australia, Deans would be giving up the chance to succeed Graham Henry as All Blacks coach after the World Cup.
Like O'Neill, Deans has been encouraged by the number of top Australian test players who have re-signed with the ARU this year. Kurtley Beale, James Horwill, Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota Nau and Lachie Turner are among those who have committed themselves to the Wallabies beyond this year with flyhalf Quade Cooper reported to be set to follow suit.
Back-row forward Elsom, who has yet to take the field this year after struggling with
hamstring and shoulder problems, is the target of several French clubs but said he would prefer to remain at home after leading his country to the World Cup.
"My definite preference is to stay in Australia," the 28-year-old told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I would like to stay and to keep playing. It's just a matter of getting things done.
"It's a little bit like being pregnant -- you are either done or you are not. And I am not. And at the moment, I don't have a due date. That's genuinely the way it is."
New Zealander Deans, who signed a four-deal to coach Australia in December 2007, was more coy than his captain but ARU chief John O'Neill suggested a new contract would be on the table soon.
"It's best to get these things out of the way so they don't become a distraction," O'Neill told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
"I am a great fan of Robbie's and I'm publicly on the record that we've got unfinished business and, whilst we haven't had formal discussions yet, we've had informal deliberations and in the next couple of months we will get to a point of resolution.
"Robbie is certainly keen to stay on for the same reason -- unfinished business."
Australia have gradually improved under Deans after a difficult first year in 2008 and O'Neill is convinced the Wallabies are on the brink of a new golden era.
"It's been fantastic but it's far from done yet," Deans said. "Personally, 2011 is a big priority and I'm not looking beyond that, but I have enjoyed what I've done and I believe I've got a lot more to offer yet.
"If John wants to sit down and talk about beyond the World Cup, I'd be prepared to do that."
By signing an extension with Australia, Deans would be giving up the chance to succeed Graham Henry as All Blacks coach after the World Cup.
Like O'Neill, Deans has been encouraged by the number of top Australian test players who have re-signed with the ARU this year. Kurtley Beale, James Horwill, Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota Nau and Lachie Turner are among those who have committed themselves to the Wallabies beyond this year with flyhalf Quade Cooper reported to be set to follow suit.
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