Wallaby giant to bring 'French' edge against Boks?
SPOTLIGHT: Will Skelton admits he’s yet to realise his potential in a Wallabies jersey, but he thinks that will all change with better knowledge of how to use his massive frame and some rare time in camp.
The 31-year-old lock has forged a reputation as one of the world’s best club forwards, winning three European Championship Cups since leaving Super Rugby in 2017.
Parachuted into the Wallabies overseas-based squads for the last two end-of-year tours, it’s yet to translate to the Test arena.
In camp on the Gold Coast – his first Australian camp since 2016 – the 26-Test wrecking ball now shapes as a chief destroyer in coach Eddie Jones’ World Cup plans.
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“I’ve had a lot of opportunity in the jersey, and not taken the best step forward in my opinion,” the La Rochelle lock said.
“It’s an opportunity now to come out and inject a bit of experience, a bit of wisdom.”
Used to winning in his time with the Top 14 powerhouse La Rochelle, Skelton used the word “edge” to describe a trait he thinks Jones’ selections have added to the side that will play South Africa in Pretoria on July 8.
Asked to elaborate, Skelton had to watch his words.
“I can’t say the word. It’s the ‘c’ word,” he said.
“Edge is being tough, at training not letting guys go through in contact. Competing every set, every maul, every scrum.
“That will transfer to the field.”
That isn’t what Jones has demanded of the ruck-crasher, although it might be something Skelton still offers.
“I like to go through the maul in defence. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learnt to use my body a bit more smartly,” he said.
“I know if I’m on the ground here I have to get up, or know what ruck I can hit.”
Top 14 adversary Richie Arnold is also in camp, weeks after his Toulouse side beat Skelton’s La Rochelle by three points in the French final.
The identical twin of 32-Test lock Rory, Arnold is uncapped but capable of forming a lethal French connection with Skelton in the second row.
“Richie’s a pest on the rugby field, a nuisance,” Skelton said.
“In the line-out particularly he’s a menace, has that edge.
“In Europe [clubs use] the big No.5 lock then the mobile No.4.
“That’s an option and Richie can play both sides.
“We’ll be putting our hands up.
“At La Rochelle, we played a power game; we’d scrum and maul teams off the park and I think we can use that here.
“Rugby’s changed a lot but that facet is a strength you can never take away.”
