Rising cult hero Will Skelton has been axed from the Wallabies squad for their tour of South Africa and Argentina.
Three weeks after opposing the All Blacks, giant lock Skelton was left out of an injury-hit 28-man squad which will complete the Rugby Championship with Tests against the Springboks on September 27 and the Pumas on October 4.
Coach Ewen McKenzie has opted to take a bare minimum of three second-rowers in his tour party with starting pair Rob Simmons and Sam Carter, plus James Horwill.
Former captain Horwill was preferred ahead of Skelton for a reserves spot in the narrow home wins over South Africa and Argentina, while the 135kg Waratahs lock failed to impress in the NRC for the Sydney Stars.
McKenzie, who has selected 16 forwards and 12 backs for the tour, has named stalwart NSW prop Benn Robinson in his top squad for the first time this season as well as halfback Will Genia.
With hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau among the long list of 13 tour contenders unavailable, the fairytale story of 33-year-old coal miner Josh Mann-Rea remains alive.
Ninth-string rake Mann-Rae, who sat on the bench for the full 80 minutes against the Boks in Perth, will compete with Saia Fainga’a for a bench spot behind James Hanson.
Vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper has overcome a nerve problem affecting his neck to be set for his 98th cap in Cape Town, where he’ll likely replace Peter Betham (foot) on the wing.
“It’s pleasing to be able to bring in some experienced guys for what will be an extremely challenging tour of South Africa and Argentina,” McKenzie said.
“Collectively, we add almost 250 games of Test experience to our squad through the inclusion of Adam, Will, Benn and Saia.
“While pleased to have finished ahead on the scoreboard over the past two weeks, we understand there is still a lot of improvement left in this group and we’ll be working hard to ensure we see that over the next fortnight.”
Also among players not considered due to injury are hookers Stephen Moore, Nathan Charles, Tolu Latu and Heath Tessman, prop Scott Sio, back-rowers Wycliff Palu, David Pocock and Dave Dennis, flyhalf Quade Cooper and outside backs Henry Speight and Chris Feauai-Sautia.
Wallabies tour squad
Backs – Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Joe Tomane, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali’ifano, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Nic White, Will Genia.
Forwards – Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper (capt), Matt Hodgson, Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, James Horwill, Sekope Kepu, Ben Alexander, James Slipper, Pek Cowan, Benn Robinson, James Hanson, Saia Fainga’a, Josh Mann-Rae.
IvanN
Guest
Harry - When the Boks were in Australasia, there was talks of HM bringing Jacques Potgieter into the setup - and now with Flo injured, that would make even more sense - but no Pottie.... I dont get it. For my money, a combination of Marcel, Pottie and Duane looks quite daunting. The Aussies know how hard that boertjie tackles, Schalk is good but im not sure hes up to the pace anymore.
ABs supporter
Guest
Never select anyone that can't play for 80 minutes. Use of the bench is not a strategic thing, it has to be more flexible than that. Most of the time it is done according to tactical awareness and reading the way the game is developing. Carrying a guy into the match that definitely won't go the distance only limits a coaches options.
Adsa
Guest
Cause we are playing the boks & argies.
AussieinNZ
Guest
Whatever the merits of Skelton the fact remains that the WB forwards are getting monstered we need someone like him to give some go forward
Firstxv
Guest
Both Eben and Bismarck are firing on less cylinders at the moment. Theyll need to pick up in the next couple of weeks with no Alberts and Louw either. Vermulens looks to be carrying the load of them all at the mo...
Chan Wee
Guest
this obsession with size means nothing. without the soft skills they cannot survive at the highest level. there is a huge 8 (Tongan) in French rugger _ Opeti Fonua _ who kocked out Wilkinson. (his ticket to fame) not many have heard of him after a few seasons :) http://www.rugbydump.com/2013/05/3172/jonny-wilkinson-absolutely-smashed-by-huge-opeti-fonua
Chan Wee
Guest
i think he played at 6 in a practice match which happened to be televised - probables v possibles. he was much better at wing. :)
Kerry
Guest
Looking at the squad Link is taking on tour, it appears that a great number of the squad are his personal friends, favourites and are not being picked on form. One example, Will Genia - for the last two to three years his form has been atrocious and the games he has had since coming back from injury in the NRC have been no recommendation either. Now, as for Will Skelton - the last couple of WB games, Carter, Fardy and Simmons have continued giving away penalties, loss of ball and poor tackling. On this form, I would take Skelton any day instead of any of these three. Skelton always puts in 100%, tackles, backs up and is a major asset when the WBs are exposed to opposition rucks and mauls on the WB try line. In this situation, the other three are usually 'missing in action'. Once again Ewen Mackenzie is taking a leaf out of Eddie Jones' coaching manual'. I believe that Cheika should be utilised to help rebuild the WBs and get back the WB supporters.
Garth
Guest
Starting a player with no experience in that position for the first time, IN A TEST MATCH is not genius. It is stupidity of the highest order. It was learning the position at Counties-Manukau and at club level that enabled Lomu to become the legend. Mains should have waited. And we will never know just how good a loosie he could have been because they swapped him to the wing so early.
D0nutz
Guest
Why would you leave the "All Black slayer" behind? He is the slayer of all blacks!
Zack
Roar Rookie
It will be interesting to compare Will's progress in Australia with his younger brother Cameron's in NZ with the Chiefs. I would suggest that Cameron will end in the All Blacks by 2016.
Harry Jones
Expert
Eben must force himself into the conversation and I agree: he will
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
Amazing how everyone's seemed to have forgotten Eben Etzebeth, a 2013 World Player of the Year nominee. But I think Etzebeth likes it that way. Injury stood in his way but he will hit form again. Personally I can't wait. A lock that can outsprint Ben Smith is always a keeper in my book.
RobC
Roar Guru
I believe he was held back for a number of reasons: - Fardy is already a third lock option - The team is too young. Horwill's seniority, experience and leadership is needed - If Rams Big Barry & Co can manage and outplay him, Lavanini, Eben++ will doubly so
BRAMS Brams
Guest
Wait till you all see his not so little brother playing in NZ.
Redman
Guest
Do you also realise that palu had a great s15 season aswel, but dosen't cut the mustard at the big boy arena. Skelton had no impact against the saders in the final or the two kiwi tests. I think we've inherited another teddy bear imo. No room for flashy stuff in the test arena. And playing agains't a whole foward pack of mongrels is abit diffrent to the s15 side show packs which is what he's found out. Fiorget the french, they were already on holiday.
stillmatic1
Guest
and easy to pump him up too, james................
Buzzard
Guest
Obviously Laurie Mains saw something in Lomu why he put him on the wing. Would he have been so great if he was left as a loose forward with Michael Jones, Kronfeld, Zinzan Brooke & co around? A master stroke by Laurie Mains I reckon. Then Counties left him on the wing and he excelled at NPC level. The rest is history. The biggest problem with the 94 ABs was Simon Mannix....no good!
armchair sportsfan
Guest
Jameswm says "I’d rather someone make 6-8 dominant tackles a game than 10 powder puff ones" yet on another thread you're one of the staunchest supporters of Michael Hooper. I guess as long as they played for the Tahs, you're happy with whatever? Sorry if I played the Man and not the ball Champ.
strap
Guest
Genia hasn't been the best scrum half in the world since early 2011.