The Australia rugby coach Robbie Deans has dismissed concerns that skipper Rocky Elsom's injury could rule him out of the World Cup squad amid growing calls for selectors to name a replacement captain.
Elsom played his first match in six months in the ACT Brumbies draw against Western Force at the weekend after recovering from a troublesome hamstring strain, but faces another long stint on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury.
The 28-year-old flanker is a doubt to play another match in the Super rugby season, raising fears that Australia could head into the start of the test season in July with the captaincy in doubt.
The Wallabies kick off their international season against Samoa in mid-July, before matches against South Africa and New Zealand in a shortened Tri-Nations tournament.
