Skelton Could Stay with Wallabies: Key to His Rugby Championship Participation

The second-row Wallabies lock, Will Skelton, could extend his participation in the Rugby Championship, as he confirmed his interest in delaying his return to France, while Australia celebrates its impressive 38-22 victory over the Springboks. Skelton, along with James O’Connor, spoke with the Australian media via video on Sunday night, enjoying one of the most significant victories in their careers, and one of the best for the Wallabies. Despite the euphoria, the Wallabies will not get carried away with the celebration, as the Springboks, eager to recover and with several key players back, will arrive in Cape Town with the intention of amending their defeat in a stadium where Australia had not won since 1963.

I think the first thing was to enjoy the moment, because it’s been 62 years since we won at Ellis Park,” O’Connor told reporters. “That’s something special for the group and to be a part of it, especially with that comeback, but I think we enjoyed our company; but that’s rugby, you’re already thinking about the next week.

James O’Connor

Skelton revealed that the Wallabies have already begun analyzing the victory to identify areas for improvement for next weekend.

Many of the guys are already thinking about next week. They are reviewing, everyone is analyzing things,” said Skelton.

Will Skelton

Skelton played 57 minutes in his third consecutive match with the Wallabies, showing his strength in the close game before the backs exploded, with Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright standing out.

After starting the campaign with a calf injury, which kept him out of the match against Fiji and the first test with the British and Irish Lions, Skelton has provided the physical solidity that the Wallabies needed, proving to be a world-class second row. Also, it seems he could play beyond the second test against the Springboks.

Yes, I will be on the return flight,” Skelton replied when asked about his immediate future. “Yes, definitely. We are having conversations about what the rest of the TRC [Rugby Championship] will be like. But yes, we will think about it this week and talk to the coaching staff to see where we can get to.

Will Skelton

Skelton’s joy celebrating on the sidelines, after Wright’s run, demonstrates how much he enjoys his time under Schmidt’s direction, and why he might be willing to give up part of his contract with La Rochelle to stay with the Wallabies in the tests against Argentina. Meanwhile, Australia faces injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s test in Cape Town, with winger Dylan Pietsch and veteran prop James Slipper already back home.

Slipper suffered a concussion in the victory in Johannesburg, while Pietsch, who has had bad luck with injuries, injured his jaw in a tackle against Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. Rhys van Nek and Filipo Daugunu are the replacements, while Hamish Stewart had already been called up as a substitute for Ben Donaldson. Fortunately, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson does not appear to have suffered a serious knee injury, despite the number 8 retiring limping after scoring the second of his two tries at Ellis Park. If Wilson doesn’t play in the Cape Town clash, Rob Valetini could be his replacement.