Former Wallabies Test superstar Rocky Elsom has reportedly gone into hiding after fleeing Ireland, fearing extradition to France over a European arrest warrant.
The 41-year-old Elsom was recently sentenced in absentia to five years in prison for alleged misuse of corporate assets during his time as president of French rugby club Narbonne.
Charges include backdating contracts, illegal fund transfers, and unauthorised salary advances, with Elsom ordered to repay 705,000 euros.
“I spoke to the gardai [Irish police], and they said if I’m in Ireland, they’ll have to bring me in,” Elsom told the Sydney Morning Herald, adding, “If I’m detained, my defense gets a lot more expensive and harder.”
Though his current location remains undisclosed, he admitted he’s “keeping [his] head down.”
Before his abrupt departure, Elsom was coaching rugby at a Dublin school, enjoying the fledgling program’s development. “They were going up against bigger teams, and it was great to be there…something missing for a long time,” he shared.
Elsom was capped 75 times for the Wallabies between 2005 and 2011 and became Australia’s 76th Test captain in 2009.
DO YOU REMEMBER ROCKY ELSOM’S TEST CAREER?
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