Statement: International arrest warrant issued for former Wallabies captain
10/11/2024 05:09 PM
An international arrest warrant has been issued for ex-Australia rugby captain Rocky Elsom, following a French court’s decision to sentence him to five years in prison for the misuse of corporate assets.
The verdict, delivered in Elsom's absence, was confirmed by lawyer Patrick Tabet.
Charges Linked to Narbonne Presidency
The charges stem from Elsom's tenure as president of French rugby club Narbonne between 2015 and 2016. The court found him guilty of misusing club funds, with additional accusations of forgery.
Rocky Elsom: A Wallabies Legend
Elsom, 41, is a celebrated figure in Australian rugby, having earned 75 caps for the Wallabies during his career. However, his post-rugby activities have come under intense scrutiny, with the court ordering him to repay €705,000 (R13.4 million).
Misuse of Funds and Forgery
Elsom was found to have authorised questionable payments, including €79,000 (R1.5 million) to a former coach under circumstances where "nothing could justify it." Additionally, he hired an individual living in Australia at a rate of €7,200 (R137,000) per month, despite the person never visiting Narbonne or performing any work for the club, according to Tabet.
Harsher Sentence Than Prosecutor’s Request
The court’s president handed down a sentence even harsher than the prosecutor’s recommendation of two years in prison. Elsom's actions are seen as contributing to the financial collapse of Narbonne, once champions of France in 1936 and 1979.
Narbonne’s Financial Woes
Narbonne faced significant financial difficulties during and after Elsom's presidency, eventually being placed into liquidation and relegated in 2018. The club's troubles have been linked to years of financial mismanagement.
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Richie McCaw's all-time rugby dream team is something special
McCaw, born on December 31, 1980, in Oamaru, New Zealand, is a legendary former rugby player widely regarded as one of the greatest openside flankers in the history of the sport.
Captaining the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, from 2006 to 2015, McCaw led them to two Rugby World Cup victories.
Known for his exceptional leadership, tenacity, and skill, he remains an iconic figure in rugby, earning numerous accolades and leaving an indelible mark on the game.
Extracted from a series of interviews, here is our interpretation of how his dream team would be arranged.
RICHIE MCCAW DREAM TEAM:
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Christian Cullen (New Zeland)
- 14. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
- 11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
McCawon Lomu: "When I first became an All Black he was in the team. To play alongside a guy you have watched as a young fella was pretty amazing. He made me look silly in training more than once.
“He is one of the absolute superstars of rugby. If you go to somewhere where rugby is perhaps not well known then the one guy they do know is Jonah. It’s really sad that he’s passed away at age 40. He was a legend of the All Blacks and a legend of rugby.”
CENTRES:
- 13. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
- 12. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
McCaw on Wilkinson: “He’ll go down as one of the greats of world rugby.”
HALFBACKS:
- 10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
- 9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
McCaw on Carter: “There are a lot of good players but the guys who did it for a long time and that I’ve been lucky to play with is Dan Carter. In the final, he was sensational and he’s been great for a long time. So to be able to play with him for the years I’ve been playing was pretty cool.”
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