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Influential Wallabies captain yet to reach peak of powers
Will Skelton is racing the clock to lead the wounded Wallabies in their final pool match against Portugal but coach Eddie Jones is hoping it’s not the last World Cup for the giant lock.
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Skelton has an unhappy World Cup history, with both his 2015 campaign and the current France tournament wrecked by injury.
Eight years ago, playing in Birmingham, Skelton suffered a pectoral injury in Australia’s second match against Uruguay and was replaced in the squad.
This time, the Wallabies captain hurt his calf at training following their opening victory over Georgia.
The loss of the 135kg wrecking ball, as well as heavyweight prop Taniela Tupou with a hamstring injury, derailed Australia’s game plan.
With a lack of size and also experience key factors, the team crashed to record losses against Fiji and Wales to all but end their quarter-final hopes in an unwanted first for the two-time champions.
The 31-year-old has only played 30 Tests, shifting his career overseas after the 2017 Super season and was overlooked for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
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But Skelton has stamped himself as one of the game’s premier locks, playing central roles in multiple domestic and European titles for Saracens and La Rochelle – which is why Jones thinks he has far more rugby in him.
Skelton himself said he might be too old, but Jones wants to see him at the next World Cup in 2027, hosted by Australia.
He compared him to 34-year-old lock Sam Whitelock, who is set to overtake Richie McCaw as the most capped All Black when they face Italy in Lyon on Friday night (Saturday AEST).
“He’s 31 years of age, so you look at blokes like Whitelock and how well they’re playing at 34-35 and there’s no reason why the next four or five years can’t be the best of Will’s career,” Jones told AAP.
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“He looks really healthy, incredibly healthy – he’s lost at least eight kilograms which he needed to do as he was too heavy.”
Skelton was a left-field choice for World Cup captain but Jones felt it was a no-brainer.
“Will Skelton is the most incredible bloke – he’s never captained a team before but he’s a leader,” he said.
“He plays for Saracens and they win, he plays for La Rochelle and they win.
“You go to those clubs and the player they talk about the most is Will Skelton and that was one of the reasons why I thought he’s going to be the captain for us.”
Following their 40-6 thrashing by Wales Skelton said he was working hard with the team medics to be right for the Portugal clash in Saint-Etienne this Sunday (Monday AEST), with Australia desperate to salvage something from a tournament to forget.
“I’m in a tough position, being injured I’m on my own sort of rehab journey, but I’ve got to be around the boys a lot more in my messaging and in making sure that we’re united and connected this week,” Skelton said.
“It takes a day or two emotionally to get back after a loss like that as it’s still quite raw but we will build the week into a performance that we can be proud of.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments