Mowen not happy with Waratahs
June 12 2009
Waratahs flanker Ben Mowen has admitted he's been left hanging by his Australian franchise as the Rocky Elsom saga was in the balance.
The young back-row was one of Super 14's better performers throughout this term, grabbing the number six jersey with both hands as his predecessor headed for Irish province Leinster.
But while reports were constantly linking Elsom with a move back to Sydney during 2008/09's run-in, a frustrated Mowen was subsequently left waiting on a new contract until Elsom's future was decided.
"We are getting close to getting it organised, but the time frame has not been one of my choosing...that's for sure," he said, speaking to Rugby Heaven.
Elsom's decision to finally return to Australia for the Brumbies ultimately led to Mowen's deal extension at the Waratahs, which is still not yet completed.
And NSW Rugby Union Chief Executive Jim L'Estrange revealed that the wait on the latter's future was down to the returning Wallaby's unknown destination.
"We have always appreciated that Ben's done really, really well but we always knew that potentially we wanted to know if we were going to get Rocky," said L'Estrange.
"We have kept Ben in the loop. But now Rocky is not coming back, we are in negotiations with Ben and we are trying to come to terms that are agreeable to both parties."