Will Skelton admits he hasn’t done enough when representing the Wallabies
A winner of many trophies at club level, Will Skelton is desperate to produce similar performances when playing for the Wallabies.
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For someone who has achieved so much at club level, towering lock Will Skelton admits he has barely done enough when representing Australia.
A perennial winner of domestic and continental silverware in a decorated European club career that has included stints in England with Saracens, and France with La Rochelle, 31-year-old Skelton wants to taste similar success with the Wallabies
Having debuted for Australia nine years ago, Skelton is anything but satisfied with his 24-Test career.
“I probably have had a lot of opportunities in the jersey and probably not taken the best step forward in my personal opinion performance-wise,” the 203cm former Warathas giant said on Wednesday from the Gold Coast, where the Eddie Jones-coached Wallabies squad is preparing for the Rugby Championship.
“It’s obviously a different opportunity now for me to come over here (from France) and inject a bit of experience (and) a bit of wisdom.
“I’m a bit older now as well, and we’ll see what I can add to this team going forward … the body’s feeling good.
“The training is intense here. We’ve got to fast-track everything Eddie wants us to take in.
“Eddie’s selected a squad with youth, experience (and) ‘edge’ – that’s what’s needed to win the big game, in my experience.
“It’s exciting times now for us. As a group we’re building our connections, building our relationships, because we know that’s what’s going to take us to that next level.”
The Wallabies begin their Rugby Championship campaign on Sunday week (AEST) against South Africa in Pretoria.
It’s also the first of five Tests that Australia will play before their Rugby World Cup opener against Georgia in Paris on September 10 (AEST).
“It’s always nice to be together and building those connections for what’s going to be a tough four-five Tests before the World Cup,” said Skelton, whose 2015 World Cup experience ended prematurely with a pectoral injury in the Wallabies’ 65-3 Pool A thrashing of Uruguay.
Australia, under then coach Michael Cheika, reached the tournament final but were beaten 34-17 by New Zealand in the decider at Twickenham.
“(We were) gutted to not finish how we wanted to, but reflecting on that, the World Cup is a special experience as a rugby player,” Skelton said.
“It’s the pinnacle of our sport. It’s where you want to be.”
Originally published as Will Skelton admits he hasn’t done enough when representing the Wallabies
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