The 30 -Test lock is working hard to catch up on Schmidt’s structures but he is, now, one of the most match-fit players in the squad. He has played nine games for La Rochelle in the Top 14 since September, and did a 72-minute shift in a win over Stade Francais at the weekend.
Skelton said his fitness for the Lions series was not part of the discussion with Schmidt around missing the Rugby Championship, but he confirmed he is keen to be part of the series next July. A young Skelton played for the Waratahs against the Lions in 2013.
Skelton celebrates after La Rochelle won the Heinekin Cup in 2023.Credit: Getty Images
“Absolutely, (I am) keen. You ask any Australian professional rugby player and they want to be a part of it,” Skelton said.
“The goal is to be in form and play well. I have to show Joe I am ready to perform and that starts against England, and I have a three-Test window, and hopefully I play good enough and play good enough for club and stay injury-free, and then put my hand up. My motivation to play for Australia never changes.”
Watching the Wallabies during the European summer was tough for Skelton.
“When you’re not involved and you’re watching on TV, you always have that itch, and you want to help,” Skelton said.
“We haven’t had the results that we wanted, but I feel the team’s building in the right direction.”
Will Skelton playing for the Waratahs against the Lions in 2013.Credit: James Brickwood.
Skelton said he’d had “constant conversations” with Schmidt during the July series and the Rugby Championships, and “bounced a lot off each other, to see where this group’s going”.
He does not expect to be considered for the captaincy again, however, despite leading the Wallabies to the World Cup last year. Since then the Wallabies have had five captains: Dave Porecki, Liam Wright, James Slipper, Allan Alalaatoa and Harry Wilson.
“With a new team and a new coach, he’s got his own process with that,” Skelton said.
“We never really spoke about that. But just having experienced guys within the squad helps the group overall. I’m just here to add as much value as I can.”
Skelton said he hoped the pain of the 2023 Rugby World Cup burnout would be beneficial for the Wallabies.
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“We had a young group and it was a very disappointing result for us. We took a lot of learnings. A lot of those guys in that squad will look back at that experience, and it will be tough,” he said.
“But I hope that they’ve learned, and it will make them better coming into this regime with Joe. I can already see the switch, and how excited they are to be able to perform for Australia.”
In the past Skelton has played off the bench for the Wallabies when only returning for the Spring Tour, but the opportunity to put nearly 300kg of power on the tighthead side of the Wallabies starting scrum - with 145kg Skelton and 145kg prop Taniela Tupou - will not be lost on Schmidt.