Rocky Elsom claims he has no lingering resentment over his dumping as Wallabies captain and believes leading the national team has left him better equipped for his new role as skipper of the NSW Waratahs.

Elsom was officially appointed to the role on Tuesday and will spearhead a large leadership group as the Waratahs carry high hopes into the 2012 Super Rugby season.

Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Dan Vickerman, Berrick Barnes, Tom Carter, Rob Horne and Drew Mitchell were appointed deputies with Elsom the unanimous choice to lead the club he last played for in 2008, prior to two seasons with the Brumbies.

The 71-Test veteran led the Wallabies for three years before he was sensationally replaced by James Horwill just three weeks out from the World Cup.

But the 28 year-old flanker would not be drawn on suggestions his new appointment would help temper his disappointment from losing the Australian arm band.

“My disappointment with the Wallabies was because we wanted to win the World Cup and we didn’t win it, that’s where my disappointment is,” Elsom told AAP.

“Everything in between is a lesser detail and I think these are two very separate issues.”

Elsom, though, hoped he could take the lessons learned from the Wallabies job into his new gig.

“I think you always learn, having that kind of experience changes your perspective on some things and hopefully for the better,” he said.

Elsom’s participation in the opening rounds of the Super Rugby season, starting February 24, remains in heavy doubt due to a troublesome hamstring injury but Waratahs coach Michael Foley is hopeful he will be back on the park by week five.

Elsom would not be drawn on the progress of his recovery but is optimistic about NSW’s prospects in 2012.

The Waratahs are favourites to take out the Australian conference, ahead of reigning champions Queensland, and Elsom saw plenty of potential from a distance last season as NSW fell to the Auckland Blues in the finals.

“There’s high expectations and that’s fine,” he said.

“I do think last year they did especially well.

“If you look at the way they finished the season and the team they took over to Auckland, they gave that game a reasonable shake. I wouldn’t be too down on how they went.”

Elsom said his priority as captain would be “getting everyone aligned.”

“The main thing is to get everyone on the same page because it doesn’t matter how bad the plan is, as long as everybody’s doing it, we’ll be OK,” he said.