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'Become a real leader': Will Skelton a 'valuable asset' for Wallabies
His giant size and local knowledge make lock Will Skelton a “bloody valuable asset” for the Wallabies against France, according to teammate Jed Holloway.
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The Wallabies meet the world No.2-ranked side in Paris on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) aware they need to improve on their muddled performance at Murrayfield against Scotland, which yielded a 16-15 victory.
Playing for French Top 14 side La Rochelle, Skelton was unavailable for that match but joined the Wallabies at their French training base this week.
Standing 203cm and weighing some 140kg, Holloway said his former NSW Waratahs teammate immediately made his presence known.
“I haven’t seen Will since he left the Tahs, but same thing, you feel the big hand come over your shoulder, which basically reaches down the belly button his fingers are that big,” Holloway said of Skelton’s greeting.
“He’s just the same old dude – very humble, very big presence.
“He’s just going to be awesome to have around the team as he’s got a family now, he’s become a real leader.”
The Wallabies’ set piece stood up well against the Scots, with their lineout competitive and their scrum getting some pay.
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Youngster Nick Frost was the stand-out, with the 23-year-old troubling the Scotland lineout and topping his team’s tackle count.
All Blacks great Andrew Mehrtens has praised the Wallabies for showing “a bit of character” in their hard-fought 16-15 win over Scotland. #SCOvAUS https://t.co/vxwS9UGMAL
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 31, 2022
Fellow lock Cadeyrn Neville was also a solid performer, popping the pass for skipper James Slipper to score Australia’s only try.
But the physicality that Skelton brings, as well as his experience playing six years in the northern hemisphere, can’t be ignored if they are to match the Six Nations champions at home.
“I thought the locks played really well on the weekend – I thought Fruit (Frost) and Cadeyrn probably had their best games but in saying that Willy’s been playing 80 minutes and knows the French, knows guys who we’re playing against,” Holloway said.
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“I’m not a coach and not a selector but I just know that if he does play he’s going to be a bloody valuable asset.”
Whoever does line up needs to improve at the breakdown, which Scotland dominated early in the match to force the Wallabies into errors or penalties.
Holloway said their accuracy there was off and that it would continue to be a focus at training this week.
But he felt that if they played “the Wallaby way” they could take it to France .
“We just need to be more clinical and focus on our game and what we provide; we know that if we can produce out best performance we can take it to them.
“We’ve showed that multiple times – that South African game, the All Blacks‘ first Test, we were right there – we know if we play the Wallaby way we can get really close to these guys if not beat them.
“They’re going to be tough at home; the second-ranked team in the world for a reason, they’re big bodies, they run hard and we need to front up.”
Meanwhile, starting halfback Tate McDermott is expected to be available for selection despite leaving the field following a head knock against Scotland.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments