Former Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom breaks silence after two-year jail sentence and international manhunt

Former Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom has spoken to 7NEWS as he fights to clear his name from a two-year prison sentence ordered by a French court for misusing corporate assets during his time as club president of Narbonne.

Elsom effectively disappeared since he became the subject of an international manhunt late in 2024, but now he has been tracked down living in Queensland’s Noosa hinterland despite a warrant out for his arrest in France.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Wanted Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom found in Queensland.

The rugby champion was spotted in the small community of Cooroy, where he’s been living quietly since returning to Australia in 2024.

Elsom left Ireland and came home after a French court convicted him on fraud charges related to the rugby club he owned there. But has explained the trial was held in absentia.

Speaking to 7NEWS by phone today, Elsom revealed he was never notified about his own trial.

“They didn’t notify me of my own trial, which means not only was I not there, I wasn’t represented, and so I could give no evidence and I’ve never been questioned,” he said.

He was initially sentenced to five years prison, but an appeal last year acquitted him of the fraud charges while upholding allegations relating to misusing corporate assets. His sentence was cut to two years and an arrest warrant was issued.

Elsom has not indicated whether he has any plans to return to France and rejects any suggestion he’s been in hiding. However, no one had heard from him until a newspaper reporter tracked him down.

“We went up there and spent a couple of days on a good old-fashioned stakeout just trying to find him. His whereabouts has basically been a mystery since he fled Europe in 2024,” News Corp reporter Greg Stolz said.

For now, he seems happy to live quietly in Cooroy.

“Everyone I deal with, you know, from everywhere I shop, where I get my materials, all the people have been fantastic. And I couldn’t ask for more than that. Like I said, I was very happy to come home,” Elsom said.

Legal experts say ultimately it might not be up to him.

“The thing that will now have to be decided is what action will take place from the Australian authorities and the French authorities now that his location has been widely reported in the media and it’s no longer a secret,” criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy said.

Elsom maintains he’s completely innocent and says he has launched an appeal against the jail sentence.

7NEWS has reached out to French authorities and is awaiting a reply.