Comment: Luke Jones, Will Skelton and Sam Carter called up so Wallabies can be locked and loaded for World Cup

PICKING five locks is a shrewd call from coach Ewen McKenzie because he needs to build up the Wallabies engine room for next year’s World Cup.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Will Skelton of the Waratahs is tackled during the round 14 Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Lions at Allianz Stadium on May 18, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

PICKING five locks in his squad is the shrewdest call made by coach Ewen McKenzie because building up his engine room options is the only way the Wallabies can make a bang at next year’s World Cup.

All of the Wallabies’ experience at lock in the Test arena is invested in the Reds duo of James Horwill (48 Tests) and Rob Simmons (37 Tests).

One injury there and the Wallabies are dreadfully exposed. There’s no Kane Douglas or Sitaleki Timani fall back. Both are off the radar with European commitments.

That’s why pitching Melbourne Rebels lock Luke Jones, 23, ACT Brumbies enthusiast Sam Carter, 24, and 135kg wildcard Will Skelton into this squad isn’t adventurous.

It’s an absolute necessity.

Will Skelton is one of three uncapped locks in the Wallabies squad.

McKenzie has gone a further step and invited Melbourne Rebels lock Cadeyrn Neville to Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast as a training extra for the pre-series camp from June 1 before the first Test against France in Brisbane (June 7).

When England won the 2003 World Cup they could call on four top-notch locks in hardhead Martin Johnson, Ben Kay, Danny Grewcock and Simon Shaw.

That’s lock depth to envy. The English again won’t be short of lock strength come next year and Australia’s all-important World Cup pool clash at Twickenham.

Sam Carter on the charge for the Brumbies.

Carter’s zeal at the breakdown and competitive streak are top notch and he earned many new fans for his role in the Brumbies memorable upset of the British and Irish Lions in Canberra last year.

He has good genes too because father David was a no-nonsense Wallaby backrower who played five Tests in the late 1980s.

Jones has made more ball-carries (114) than any of the other locks this season and now has more than 40 Super Rugby caps behind him. He’s been consistent doing it which is a big tick.

Skelton is what the MasterChef judges would call a mystery box challenge. Look at all the ingredients … a barrelling runner who can bump defenders into orbit, a big man who can dish a lovely pass and sheer scary impact at 135kg.

That he is a non-factor as a lineout jumper is unheard off in a top lock.

Luke Jones wins a lineout for the Rebels.

When you have a potential backrow with Scott Higginbotham and Scott Fardy in it plus a jumping lock partner, a 20-minute cameo of mayhem off the bench from Skelton makes sense.

Getting his fitness up to the pace of Test rugby will be a gradual process for the 22-year-old.

Selecting all the locks is one thing. Seeing dividends over the next 12 months is now the biggest thing so the Wallabies start World Cup year with a real depth of grunt where it matters in the pack.

Originally published as Comment: Luke Jones, Will Skelton and Sam Carter called up so Wallabies can be locked and loaded for World Cup