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SAINT ETIENNE – He might be based in France, but Eddie Jones says Will Skelton has the “capability to be a long-time captain of Australia” despite plying his trade for La Rochelle.
Skelton, 31, was one of the many selection shocks for the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign, as Jones threw a spanner in the works by naming the giant lock, who had scarcely led any team before, as captain.
The La Rochelle lock, who thought his international career was over when he left the NSW Waratahs, was shocked and needed to be convinced to take on the leadership responsibilities.
Indeed, initially, he rejected Jones’ invitation before coming around to the idea after sleeping on the subject.
While the playing group, as well as former teammates, were shocked by Jones’ decision, quickly they saw a method to the madness.
The simplicity and directness of his message were on full display against Georgia at the Stade de France last month, as he helped get the side back on track after becoming loose. His choice language and follow-me leadership style was backed up by his fantastic first-up performance against the Eastern Europeans.
But the loss of Skelton to a calf injury for three of the Wallabies’ four Pool C matches proved telling in the side’s World Cup struggles.
Will Skelton with the Wallabies following their crucial Pool C World Cup loss to Wales. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The hulking second-rower, who has helped lead La Rochelle and Saracens to European Championship Cups, went down at training just days out from the Wallabies’ crunch World Cup fixture against Fiji. The injury occurred just days after Taniela Tupou’s hamstring injury.
Jones, who appeared visibly frustrated when he named his side to take on Fiji less than 24 hours after Skelton went down, said the injury blows were frustrating blows in their campaign.
“The biggest loss we had in this tournament was losing Taniela and Will in one session and I blame myself for that. Just didn’t get it right, the session,” Jones told reporters on Friday.
“So yeah, I would have changed that definitely.”
Skelton, however, interjected, saying the injuries were “uncontrollable”.
“In terms of that mate, if you look back on a week that we’ve had or that we’ve had in the past, you can look at anything,” he said. “If I had half an hour more sleep, if I drank a litre more water. I think those things are, like you said, uncontrollable.”
Adding to the frustration, both Skelton and Tupou were sprinting and packing down in scrums with the Wallabies on Friday with their World Cup destiny out of their hands. Tupou was heard saying it was “good to be back” following the morning session.
Only a Fijian capitulation against Portugal, where the Pacific Islands nation only needs a lone point to leapfrog the Wallabies, would allow Jones’ side to progress through to a quarter-final.
“It’s been tough for me to not be part of the team,” Skelton said.
“We’ve been training hard in the background, Taniela and I working arses off to get back for that quarterfinal and I think we’re on track for that.”
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh talks with Will Skelton during a Wallabies training session at Stade Roger Baudras on September 28, 2023. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Yet it is highly unlikely either will be able to return on the biggest stage.
It is the second World Cup that Skelton has had his tournament ended early, with his 2015 campaign ending after just one Test because of a pectoral injury.
Nonetheless, Skelton said he was “not retiring” and he hoped to continue to play for the Wallabies going forward.
“That call’s not up to me, all I can control is my form and how I play every week,” he said.
“I think Will’s got his best rugby ahead of him, particularly at the international level,” Jones said.
“I think he’s just starting and [I] have been so impressed by his humility, his hard work and the manner in which he leads the team.
“There’s no doubt there was a hole left in us when we lost Will – from the leadership point of view and play point of view. I couldn’t speak more highly of him.”
Will Skelton carries the ball forward against Georgia at Stade de France on September 09, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Skelton said whether he was the captain moving forward was not his decision, but added he would like to be considered.
“Similar to getting selected that’s not a choice that’s in my hands. Moving forward what it looks like isn’t really up to me,” he said.
“If that decision is made in the future, I’ll assess the options. But, right now, I’m captain here and moving forward, if I get selected again, I’d hope to be there or thereabouts if the boss calls me.”
Before he was named captain, the Rugby Australia board needed to approve the Jones’ pick.
The decision was not supported by all corners of the Australian rugby landscape, with some believing the national captain had to be playing in Super Rugby.
RA, who made a soft approach to try and lure Skelton home following the 2019 World Cup, is hoping to repatriate the European-based star ahead of the British and Irish Lions series in 2025.
Skelton said he wouldn’t rule out one day returning to Australian rugby, but added that the captaincy wasn’t the overriding factor.
“Hopefully not finishing anytime soon. At the moment I’m contracted for another couple of years at La Rochelle, but I’ll leave that open,” he said.
“Being a part of this team is enough. I think that’s just a title.
“I’ve loved being a part of this team, I love playing with the boys, I love representing my country; I think that’s enough. The lure of captain is not something that I’d come back for.”
The Wallabies’ World Cup flop has seen the two-time world champions drop to 10th on the World Rugby rankings.
The early exit, which will likely be confirmed on Monday AEDT with Fiji to take on Portugal in the final match of the pool stage, has put the entire Australian rugby landscape under the microscope.
Skelton said it was “hard to put into a sentence” the Wallabies’ failed World Cup campaign, but put his weight behind Jones’ coaching methods and the team’s directions.
“We didn’t get the results that we wanted but, as we’ve said, sometimes that scoreline is the last bit of the progress,” he said.
“The boys are changing their habits on and off the field, and that’s a credit to Eddie and the staff and how hard they’ve been pushing us every day.
“You can’t question the work ethic we’re putting on, we’re just not getting those results. But it’ll come.
“I truly have confidence that we’re moving in the right direction. And the boys, they’re a young group but they’re willing to put into the effort to change those results into the future.”
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.