Veteran Wallaby Skelton Eyes Rugby Championship Comeback

Despite missing out on Australia’s initial 36-man squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship, seasoned second-row forward Will Skelton could still feature for the Wallabies later in the competition.

Newly appointed head coach Joe Schmidt revealed that he has held discussions with the towering 32-year-old about a potential return to the Test arena. Skelton’s predecessor, Eddie Jones, had named him as Wallabies captain for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but the La Rochelle enforcer only featured in the opening match against Georgia before sustaining an injury.

“While Schmidt prefers to select domestically-based players, the New Zealander acknowledged that ‘doesn’t mean that I don’t have any conversations with overseas players.'”

This includes Skelton, who the coach said has been “really supportive of the young guys” in the squad, and is open to a call-up either for the latter stages of the Rugby Championship or the team’s end-of-year tour.

The challenges of coordinating Skelton’s availability and fitness levels between his French club commitments and the Wallabies’ schedule are key considerations, according to Schmidt.

“It may be later in the Rugby Championship that he comes in, or he may even come in when we head north for the Spring Tour,” the coach stated.

With only one overseas-based player – star winger Marika Koroibete – included in the initial Wallabies squad, Skelton’s potential recall would add valuable experience and physicality to Australia’s ranks as they aim to continue their revival under the guidance of the new head coach.

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