Sir Graham Henry wanted him to be an All Black, but instead Will Skelton looms as a Wallabies gamebreaker charged with busting the Bledisloe Cup series wide open on Saturday.
An explosive man of the match in his Test debut against France in June, Skelton had to wait 70 minutes before injecting his super-sized frame into the fray in last Saturday’s 12-all draw in sodden Sydney.
But Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie says he won’t hesitate to thrust the two-metre-tall, 140kg juggernaut into the Eden Park cauldron much earlier if more favourable conditions prevail for the return leg.
Skelton, who grew up in Auckland before turning down Henry’s bid to bring the exciting young lock back “home” to the Blues this season, says he can’t wait for another crack at the world champions after being given a small taste last weekend.
“I loved it,” he said on Tuesday.
“The conditions weren’t the best but I thoroughly enjoyed it, standing in front of the haka and just being amongst that calibre of player within our team and against the All Blacks.”
The cousin of former All Black Brad Mika, Saturday will be Skelton’s first visit to Eden Park for a Bledisloe Cup stoush.
“I haven’t played there much and I’m excited to play there – and I think they’ve got nice change rooms,” he said.
“I used to go and watch the local comp and the NPC – Auckland running around – but I never got to an All Black game when I was growing up,” he said.
“But I went to a few over here so I know the atmosphere and to run out there (last Saturday at ANZ Stadium) was different because I was on the field.”
And Skelton is likely to spend more time on the field as the Wallabies try to keep the series alive.
McKenzie has challenged his bench to make a big impact in the must-win encounter and force their way into the starting side.
“We don’t want the guys coming off the bench and giving away penalties and slowing the team down. We actually want to increase the tempo and put more pressure on,” the coach said after retaining the same 23-man squad for Bledisloe II.
“I think everyone knows I’m not shy to use the bench, so I always have a plan around that and I’m sure it will be different this weekend.
“Guys who come off the bench and make a difference, that doesn’t go unnocited or unrewarded.
“If you make a good contribution, you tend to get more time. (If) you keep doing that, you eventually get a start.”
ChrisT
Guest
So many things wrong with that Jimmy but let's go for the obvious ones. First of all 'et al' recognises that it's not just squealing Gord that's so goddam annoying, so changing channels doesn't help. Second, by using the 'tall poppy' reference you've simply proven one of my points. Skelton isn't a tall poppy. He's done nothing at all to earn that tag. What is wrong with you people?? Sure he shows promise - but he's a country mile away from the current expectation and accolades. Give him time and space before you set him up to let you down.
jameswm
Guest
He is? He's not as good as Hodgo.
JB
Guest
he can lose all the fat he wants it's his muscle mass and speed that determine his power game, he needs to do more than hit up though, his takeout work needs to be accurate and violent, If McCaw gets a sniff at any time in a game he'll pilfer, make no mistake there has been a lot said about macaw but he is still the best on ball 7 in world rugby at the moment.
Ken Stewart
Guest
Gordon Bray has never been a tall poppy to cut down. He is just one eyed unfortunately. The wallabies played well lust weekend however until the last two minutes I didn't feel that they were going to win it. I believe it may be a different story this weekend.
jameswm
Roar Guru
So watch it on Fox if you don't like Gordon Bray. It seems Aussie tall poppy syndrome is alive and well.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Rubbish. Then he'd lose his point of difference. He's actually lost 15kgs since last year. Maybe he could lose 5, but no more than that. Cheika does punishing fitness with them. I haven't seen him run out of puff yet.
ChrisT
Guest
Anyone remember William Perry? Unless the RFU in it's next tinkering with the game introduces NFL style offensive interchanges 5 yards out from the opposition touchline or radically changes the structure creating fourth and short situations, then Skelton is likely never going to live up to the typical Australian media over hype he's already attracted. As a previous poster noted, he needs to lose 15 kilos ...and we (Gordon et al) need to stop creaming ourselves every time he completes a pass. The guy's got promise but currently he's just a selection conundrum.
Ken Stewart
Guest
He needs to lose 15 kilos
jameswm
Roar Guru
He certainly needed to come on about 20 minutes before he did.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Right, so that's happened this season when Skelton has played 50 mins or more, has it? Just make the assumption, it must be right.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Don't know about 50. 30-40 minutes would be good. More conentrated. Though I guess if he was subbed on just before half-time he would get a 10min or so break almost straight up.
Another kiwi boy living in Aus
Guest
50mins ?!?!? Hahahah that's funny . Ate they going to carry him around on a stretcher with oxygen ?
Squirrel
Guest
He has to be on the paddock. It is criminal that he got 10 minutes. If we want the bledisloe he has to be on for at least 50. Stuff the line outs we need him to tear thru the All Black mauls and hit it up with Palu and Hooper running off him.