Rugby great Tim Horan wants Robbie Deans to stand Rocky Elsom down from Test captaincy so he can fully recover from his recurring hamstring problems and become the powerhouse force needed for the Rugby World Cup.

Elsom has already missed the first six weeks of Super Rugby this season and is not likely to return until the Brumbies meet the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in round 11 (April 29).