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NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has tipped giant second-rower Will Skelton to one day become a mainstay of the Wallabies pack.
The 203-centimetre 21-year-old, who tips the scales at 135 kilograms and wears specially made boots on his size-18 feet, made his Super Rugby debut this year and Cheika expects him to continue his rapid rise in 2014.
“He will if he keeps working like he is now,” Cheika said.
“His effort is fantastic. We play games sometimes where you have to match up with someone. He always puts himself on the wingers or the quick guys because he knows he’s going to work the hardest.
“He’s got the drive to make it.”
Skelton had been tipped for a place in the Wallaby squad for the Spring Tour of the UK and Ireland to broaden his experience.
However, Cheika said it was the right decision by Ewen McKenzie not to select him.
“You have to earn the Australian jersey and I’d have been disappointed if he was called up,” Cheika said.
“He’s very raw … they (Wallaby jumpers) can’t just be given out for experience.
“When you do play for Australia it’s because you’ve earned it.”
Skelton played rugby league as a youngster alongside Manly winger Jorge Taufua and Parramatta’s Jacob Loko in a strong Hills Sports High School side in western Sydney.
But he opted to focus solely on rugby union when he was 18 after being snapped up by the Sydney University club and fast-tracked into a Waratahs select side to face the British and Irish Lions earlier this year.
“I played the full 80 minutes that night and at the back end of the game I was really struggling,” Skelton told AAP.
“I realised then what’s required to play at the highest level. This pre-season for me is about getting to that fitness level before the season starts.”
Skelton packed down against Paul O’Connell that night, a player who has been one of the best lock forwards in the world for almost a decade.
Despite being given a working over by the former Lions and Ireland skipper, Skelton said it was the best education he could receive.
“In Super Rugby teams will drop off in the final 10 minutes and that’s where you can pounce on mistakes,” he said.
“But the Lions never did and kept running in tries and attacking our line.
“It was a real eye opener about what it’s like at the highest level.
“After the game I went into their sheds and had a great chat with O’Connell. He’s someone I’ve looked up to since I starting playing.
“I just wanted to get some tips off him and he was great … a real nice guy.
“We swapped jerseys and that’s one I am not going to let go of.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.