Wallabies man mountain Will Skelton on how a return to club rugby reignited the physical aspect of his game

WITH Eddie Jones’ England enjoying their time in the sun, Michael Cheika fittingly turned to the 150kg lock once dubbed “the Eclipse” to smother English hopes of a 3-0 series win on Saturday.

Will Skelton is ready to rip into England in the third Test in Sydney.

NEPEAN Park at Penrith is a long way from a sold-out Test at Allianz Stadium but Will Skelton believes his stint in club rugby two months ago will help him replicate the form he showed in his Wallabies debut at Moore Park in 2014.

With Eddie Jones’ England enjoying their time in the sun, Michael Cheika fittingly turned to the 150kg lock once dubbed “the Eclipse” to upsize the Wallabies’ starting side and smother English hopes of a 3-0 series win on Saturday.

Skelton and Matt Toomua were added to the Wallabies run-on side, and Rob Simmons was recalled to lock after being dumped last week.

Will Skelton is ready to rip into England in the third Test in Sydney.

It will be Skelton’s first Test since rupturing a pectoral muscle at the World Cup last year, and a wild ride on the form rollercoaster for the Waratahs this season.

Skelton was dropped to club rugby by the Tahs for a stretch of games in April before climbing back into the NSW side, and now the Wallabies.

Allianz Stadium holds fond memories for Skelton. He spectacularly debuted there against France in 2014 and got a standing ovation after scoring a try, setting up Israel Folau with a lovely short ball and letting the French feel every kilogram of his huge frame in tight.

“It was fun and I think every rugby game I’ve enjoyed I’ve played well in,” Skelton said.

“I played with Simmo that game and luckily I’ll get to play with him again this week and I think he’s got something to prove as well. We’ll have to go out there and have some fun.

“I don’t think my form has been as good since then so let’s hope we can try and replicate that for this weekend.”

Will Skelton during the 3rd test between the australian Wallabies and France at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. pic Mark Evans

He has now played 14 Tests but Skelton feels as though his game has occasionally suffered chasing the same impact as that first Test.

“You try and improve your game every year but for me I think it’s maybe trying to do too much, skill-wise trying to force too many passes or trying to force the offload or ruck-wise hitting too many dead rucks,” he said.

“Just little tweaks in my game that I feel like I always need to improve on. You always want to be your best self.”

As Australia’s biggest footy player, Skelton’s skill remains a point of difference but it was a lack of sustained physicality that led to him being dropped by Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson. He went back to playing in front of a couple of dozen people for Sydney Uni against Penrith.

Emus players lined up him to put shots on but Skelton loved every minute of his return to the “pure rugby” at club land.

“They wanted me to be more physical and for me to do that again and again,” Skelton said.

“Playing Shute Shield really helped that, playing for Sydney Uni and trying to find that love again for the physical contact because that contest is what I love and that’s probably the main thing I get picked for.

“Skill-wise is something that comes naturally to me so I guess it was a wake up call and I guess I’m here now in the Wallaby pack so it’s a good thing.”

Power is one thing but Skelton’s handling is still something Cheika will want to see. The Wallabies’ offloading game near rucks has not been abundant against England.

“Cheik’s given us that free reign where if the technique’s right, you can do anything you want to on the field,” he said.

Cheika said Skelton hadn’t been in sufficient shape to play Test rugby this year but he had been trained up strongly in recent weeks.

“They wanted more impact from me and wanted me to be a nuisance and keep coming,” he said.