Will Skelton, La Rochelle's giant second row, has been called up by Joe Schmidt for the Autumn Nations Series. Now 33 and on 30 caps, Skelton has not worn the Wallabies' gold jersey since the end of a dismal 2023 Rugby World Cup during which he was named captain by then-coach Eddie Jones (now overseeing Japan). He missed out on the recent Rugby Championship to be with his Top 14 club, who last season claimed back-to-back Champions Cup titles. Yet returning to play for his adopted country - Skelton is an Auckland native - was a dream he made no secret of. "I've never been coached by Joe, so it would be really great to work with him," he confided at the beginning of this month.
A six-month conversation
The two men have been in direct contact for half a year, calling each other regularly, 1000 miles apart. "He's keen as mustard, he doesn't take any convincing to play for the Wallabies," Schmidt said of Skelton after announcing his squad. "That's been my impression from the very first time I spoke to him: he's a really positive character and he has a gravitas in the group."
For his part, Skelton, who has been at La Rochelle since 2020, didn't need to be asked twice to link up with the Wallabies for this campaign. His World Cup was cut short by injury, and an Autumn Nations Series campaign which this November takes in matches against each of the Home Nations was more than enough motivation for him to return.
Game-ready but ill-disciplined
On Monday morning, Schmidt watched Skelton's league match against Bordeaux. Skelton played 60 minutes and had some important involvements. This season, he has played in every game for La Rochelle, including four starts. With a tackle rate of 80%, he is a safe bet defensively, even if his indiscipline can cost him dearly. With two yellow cards in seven games so far - for repeated infringements against Toulouse on September 15 and for an illegal tackle on Nolann Le Garrec against Racing 92 two weeks later - that is his worst record in the Top 14.
Whilst all-in for this November's campaign, Skelton is also looking further ahead, with the British and Irish Lions tour in July 2025 on home soil. “I was lucky enough to play against them in 2013,” he recalls. “I was quite fresh, 21 years of age, playing against Paul O’Connell and Alun Wyn Jones as the locks. It’s going to be awesome to play in Australia, some awesome Tests, an awesome spectacle."
A symbolic tour
Joe Schmidt doesn't shy away from the question. "The discussions have been going on for a while, but we haven't specifically addressed the Lions. As a staff, we have a long-term vision. It's an investment."
In the meantime, they need Will Skelton. This year's Autumn Nations Series includes Tests against England (November 10 at Allianz Stadium), Wales (November 18, Principality Stadium), Scotland (November 25 at Murrayfield) and Ireland (December 1, Aviva Stadium) - all live on TNT Sports. It is not yet certain whether Skelton will be available for this last encounter. "It’s a four-game series but it’s only three Tests in the window. I might have to beg ROG [La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara] if I get picked to play Ireland at the Aviva!"
Symbolically, this tour of Australia will mark the 40th anniversary of the Wallabies' victorious 1984 Grand Slam tour. The team will meet in Sydney this weekend before heading to the UK on October 31. Expect the considerable presence of Will Skelton to have a positive impact on a squad in dire need of a boost after a last-placed finish in The Rugby Championship.
Further reading: Everything you need to know about the Wallabies' cross-code sensation Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
