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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika believes Will Skelton is slowly getting to grips with international rugby and hasn’t given up on luring the giant lock’s younger, bigger brother back to Australia.
Skelton, 22, exploded onto the international scene with an impressive starting debut against France in June but has played a more subtle role on the tour of Europe.
Skelton is expected to come off the bench for the fourth straight Test against England on Saturday and Cheika believes the 203cm, 135kg Waratahs forward is starting to develop the work ethic and attitude to match his size and power.
“I think he’s still learning about the intensity of the step-up,” Cheika said.
“I think he got caught out one week (against France) where he didn’t get prepared as well and it probably cost him, but apart from that, I think he’s been really good.
“He’s still learning and he knows it.”
Skelton, the cousin of former All Black Brad Mika, could have pursued an international career with his native New Zealand or Samoa, his parents’ birth country.
He turned down an offer from Graham Henry to join Blues last year prior to making his Waratahs debut and revealed he also received an approach about representing Samoa, whom he played for at under 20s level.
Cheika is thankful Skelton chose the green and gold and hopes his younger brother could be also eligible for Australia in the future, despite letting him slip from the Waratahs earlier this year.
Cameron Skelton, 19, is 10kg heavier and two centimetres taller than Will but left the Waratahs’ junior ranks earlier this year to take up an attractive offer with the Chiefs.
“We’ll be targeting to get his brother back and not letting him play for New Zealand, that’s the idea,” Cheika said.
“We’ve got to change our mindset from worrying about losing things to concentrating on getting things.”
Will Skelton said he was relishing his first European tour experience despite his limited opportunities.
Cheika believes Skelton will be able to gradually increase his game time for both the Waratahs and Wallabies as he continues to develop.
“You always want to be in that starting position but at the end of the day it’s a squad-oriented game,” Skelton said.
“I’m happy to be on the bench and to provide the impact for the boys.
“(Cheika) is the coach and he knows what I can provide for the team.
“If that means I don’t get as much minutes in this game and have to go and get a good pre-season under my belt for the Waratahs, then I’m happy to put in that hard work.”
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.