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The ‘complicated’ reason Will Skelton wasn’t picked to face Springboks

Will Skelton of Australia looks on during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Georgia at Stade de France on September 09, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Coach Joe Schmidt has explained the “complicated” reason why Will Skelton wasn’t included in Australia’s squad for two Rugby Championship Test matches against South Africa in Brisbane and Perth over the next fortnight.

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Winger Marika Koroibete is the only overseas-based player who has been picked in the Wallabies’ 36-man squad to take on the two-time defending Rugby World Cup champions at Suncorp Stadium on August 10 and Optus Stadium on the 17th.

Backrowers Fraser McReight and Liam Wright have both been ruled out through injury but the Wallabies have welcomed back some key players. Along with Koroibete, prop Angus Bell is in line to return from a decent stint on the sidelines.

Western Force flanker Carlo Tizzano and Olympian Corey Toole are among the six uncapped players in the squad as Australia look to extend their unbeaten run of four Tests, which is currently the longest winning streak out of any men’s tier-one nation.

But for all the excitement, buzz and optimism that this squad brings, many were left surprised to see Skelton left out. The hulking La Rochelle lock, who captained the Wallabies under former coach Eddie Jones, hasn’t played a Test since last year’s World Cup.

On Sunday, Schmidt explained why the coaching staff couldn’t pick Skelton despite “a few discussions” with the 32-year-old about a return to the national setup.

“He watched our games and we’ve chatted about him potentially being involved later in (The Rugby) Championship so it’s all quite open-ended at the moment,” Schmidt told reporters from Brisbane.

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“The last I spoke to (Will) he’s on holiday with his family so it’s a difficult time to suddenly start thinking about joining a team. There’s also been the complications of getting him back to and from France because this window is not a normal Test window in the northern hemisphere.

“It just becomes a little complicated from that perspective and as good as Will is with the experience he has, if he arrives here and he’s fatigued and he goes back there fatigued, it’s not necessarily going to add the amount of value we’d like to add.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
13
29
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
40%

But the inclusion of winger Marika Koroibete has no doubt left Wallabies fans in a good mood. The two-time John Eales Medallist wasn’t included in the squad for the Tests against Wales and Georgia in July but is back in the mix at a crucial time.

South Africa haven’t won a Test in Brisbane in more than 10 years, and it’s experienced players like Koroibete who will play a big part in potentially extending that run if Australia are successful on Saturday afternoon.

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Koroibete, 32, has run riot against the Springboks in the past which included some memorable performances in Tests in 2021 and 2022. Playing against the Boks at Suncorp Stadium on September 18, 2021, the former NRL star scored a crucial double in a 30-17 win.

“It’s not a sudden conversation, there’s been a few and we felt that his experience will be useful against these guys,” Schmidt explained.

“Part of Marika’s job in this group is to share that experience with some of the younger guys with a young set of back three players in this week like Corey Toole and Max Jorgensen.

“He’s a very likeable character and a very easy-going character unless you mark him.”

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JW 2 hours ago
'I feel for the players': Jamie Joseph's reflection on falling short again

Some great leadership quality from Big Jim, he facilitated for large parts then put the responsibility on himself at the end drive the team forward in the last desperate minutes. He also filled in for Withy extremely well, adding real strength to the maul.


The Force have been playing very well this year indeed, and their stars did make a couple of key players, the main factor though is definitely what I reported in the previous article “

Gotta say I’m really enjoying the Highlanders desperation in the last 10 minutes of games, maybe it’s just because theyre having to throw the kitchen sink at it again. Another massive effort to hold the opposition out just like in the Blues game. I’m sure the coach’s will be wanting a little more composure though as the play seems to far more hap hazard (really just the type of footy I like watching) than the picture they bring at the beggining of games.

Again though they don’t have the refs to thank for anything, being down a man twenty more minutes than they should have been. Most importantly they were without one of they best attackers (not counting Tangitau’s early change) for the final push, with Nareki’s bin.

Again, I can see where this team is trying to go, I hope they can get their this year as they certainly have the game to be a top four team if they click. They are munch of misfits when you look at it objectively though, they probably have the worst cohesion score of any SRP team. A few more wins, maybe a come from behind upset may be the best theey can hope to acheive this year.

“. Like Jim I thought the defence stood up strongly for large parts, but they may just have some structural issues, where it’s just not paying off. They had Lawaqa on the wing all day, allowed the Force to make a dozen linebreaks, why? Both there attack and defence look a bit too fancy for me, why? Common Joseph, the youngest team with the least cohesion/most new guys, it look overly complicated.


I hope it clicks. Manson in particular looked to be trying far too hard when he came on, what’s been said in his ear? Stick to you lane son and don’t make any mistakes, don’t lose the game for your team. Should be a comfortable win next week against Drua if they keep there heads up and come back stronger. Lasaqa might be best to come off the bench, would keep Jim at 12 but I’d like Tele’a to come back to the side, though TUJ hasn’t been bad and style might suit Drua more. Hopefully Renton or someone with some size is at 8 or 6, Lasaqa appears to be more an 8 actually, similar to Sititi and I wouldn’t mind if he was groomed behind him and Sotutu. Lennox I thought could make a good halfback but isn’t ready, I’d hope Arscott, Fakatava, or Pledger could return to the side. Other than Drua theyve got Cheifs twice, though the home game is the last of the round/season so potentially a gimme if the Chiefs repeat previous years tactics. The Crusaders and Moana at home are also very doable. Those four wins could see them crash into the top 6 still.

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