Rocky Elsom: International arrest warrant issued for former Wallaby
An international arrest warrant has been issued for a former Wallabies captain after he was found guilty of a string of offences.
Rocky Elsom was found guilty in absentia of forgery and misuse of corporate assets and sentenced to five years in prison by a French court, according to the Telegraph UK.
The 41-year-old was president of the French rugby club Narbonne for three years until his departure in 2016 when he was removed from the position.
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It’s understood he left behind a “catastrophic financial situation”, as described by the French newspaper Midi Olympique.
Before his exit, he was accused of embezzling about $1.13m, and the club experienced further turmoil when it was relegated to the third division of French rugby two years later.
Elsom surfaced in Ireland last week when he gave an interview for the Sunday Times, revealing that he had returned to Dublin to coach at a catholic school until the end of the year.
“I’m recovering from an injury, and this is a good place to be for it,” the former Leinster forward said.
“I had a break in work and thought I should take it. I’m trying to avoid getting cut open again, so I’ll just stay here and work on that.”
Elsom’s move overseas also culminated in his leaving behind his construction business in Queensland.
“With the construction business back home, I’ve got people there who are very good. They don’t need me at the moment, so I’m happy about that.”