‘I want to protect my team': Why the Wallabies' wrecking ball is a force of nurture
'We saw that when we're physical from the off, we can score points, we can play our game,' Skelton says. 'We saw that in the first Test, that first 30, they dictated everything. And then we sort of switched it again, on the weekend [in Melbourne]. It'll be our job out there on Saturday to do the same.
'I just wanted to do my job [at the MCG], that was it. Try and get my hands on the ball, and I focus really hard on my set-piece. I'm very aware that if I do play, I'm not the best jumping option, so things around me change. So I try and make sure that I give as much as I can in other areas of the game.
'I thought I played OK. But I've got really high standards, too. I know I am going to be able to push out longer for the team this weekend as well.'
After drawing criticism for not firing up in response to Tom Lynagh getting tackled midair in Brisbane, the Wallabies were far more combative in the second Test. And Skelton was right in the middle of most flare-ups, particularly when taking on Lions captain Maro Itoje.
But it wasn't a deliberate focus, he said.
'That's just in the moment, mate,' Skelton says. 'I don't go out there thinking I'm trying to rough someone up. I want to protect my team, but if I'm not doing my job after that, then I shouldn't be doing that at all.
'That's probably what I used to do when I was a bit younger. Try and look for scraps which aren't there, and then I am not thinking about what I've got to do on the field. There is definitely a balance.'
But in what many say what his best Test performance, the sight of Skelton at his best at the MCG was a double-edged sword for Wallabies fans. It served to remind how rarely the big man has been seen, in his prime, in a gold jersey across an 11-year Test career.
Having departed Australia in 2017 to play in England, and now France, Skelton has just 34 Test caps - and only 16 as a starter. Since he debuted in 2014, Skelton has only played in 25 per cent of the 135 Wallabies Tests that have been staged.
Skelton performs a delicate balance between club and country, trying to keep both mostly happy with partial presence. As such, he is likely to return to France and his club side La Rochelle, after the weekend and not carry on and play in The Rugby Championship.
'That's the plan, yeah. So I'll go back, have a few weeks off and then do a small pre-season were before I start again in Top 14,' he says.
Skelton clarifies he still has some final discussions to come with Joe Schmidt, but with his small family currently camped up at his parents place in western Sydney, is a return to their home in France is likely, before a possible reunion with the Wallabies for the spring tour.
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'Hopefully, if I'm playing well enough,' Skelton says. 'Because they're coming to sort of my neck of the woods, too [the Wallabies play games in France and Italy]. I'm already there and like I said, if the body's right and I'm playing well, if I am in form, and I get picked, I'd love to play.
'I love playing for the Wallabies. It's always refreshing coming back into camp. I learn so much as well from the coaches and from the boys. You always want to be a part of it.'
At 33, Skelton feels in great shape. Unlike in the grind of a Top 14 season, where the focus is to be fresh for games, the demands of Wallabies training always shocks Skelton.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Lions roar back in style against flat Magpies
The Brisbane Lions have responded after a QClash debacle to knock off Collingwood by 27 points in a potential grand final preview in front of 82,326 fans. After suffering a 66-point belting by Gold Coast last Saturday, the reigning premiers roared back to defeat the Magpies at the MCG for the first time since 2014. Leading by 19 points at three-quarter time, Brisbane had to overcome some nerves in the final term to win 14.8 (92) to 10.5 (65) in front of the biggest home-and-away crowd for a non-Victorian team. Emerging forward Logan Morris bagged a career-best six goals in a commanding display - the first Lions player to kick that many majors in a MCG game since Jonathan Brown in 2004. Morris had terrific support from young ruck-forward Henry Smith, who slotted three first-half goals in his first game for 2025. Smith came in to replace sore Oscar McInerney, who continues to struggle with a debilitating back injury. Darcy Fort and Smith battled manfully against star Collingwood ruck Darcy Cameron, helping the Lions comfortably win the clearance battle 50-36. After being towelled up by Suns stars Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson last week, premiership stars Lachie Neale (36 disposals) and Hugh McCluggage (34) were outstanding in the middle. "I expected the group to respond, I didn't know whether they would be able to respond well enough to win because we were playing a really good opponent," Lions coach Chris Fagan said. "It was really pleasing with a younger team to be able to come here and play in a big game in front of a big crowd and produce a really tough performance." Brisbane were dealt a major blow to their defensive structure when they lost premiership veteran Ryan Lester to concussion at the start of the second quarter. Trailing by 20 points at quarter-time, Collingwood powered ahead with five goals to two in the second term, including a long bomb to returning star Jordan De Goey. But after being sidelined for three months, the Magpies opted to take it easy with their dynamic ace, subbing him out during the third quarter. Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who has missed a month due to personal reasons, came into the game for De Goey. Hill flew for a trademark speccy in the last quarter after Lions star Will Ashcroft inexplicably kicked across goal. The Pies' second term was the only period when they looked close to their best, managing just three goals after halftime in a concerning form line so close to September. It was Collingwood's third defeat in four matches, meaning they will finish the round off the top of the ladder, replaced by surging Adelaide. "We've won one of our last two ... it's feedback, but I just have a positive lens," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said, dismissing concerns over the Magpies' form. "We were outplayed by a really good team, a hungry team. "Our second quarter was pretty dominant ... I want to dig into that and why that was the case and let's repeat that behaviour." The Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, were typically dominant early, but their influence faded as the game went on. It was the Magpies' first loss to the Lions since round 23, 2023, having won their previous four games against Brisbane. The Brisbane Lions have responded after a QClash debacle to knock off Collingwood by 27 points in a potential grand final preview in front of 82,326 fans. After suffering a 66-point belting by Gold Coast last Saturday, the reigning premiers roared back to defeat the Magpies at the MCG for the first time since 2014. Leading by 19 points at three-quarter time, Brisbane had to overcome some nerves in the final term to win 14.8 (92) to 10.5 (65) in front of the biggest home-and-away crowd for a non-Victorian team. Emerging forward Logan Morris bagged a career-best six goals in a commanding display - the first Lions player to kick that many majors in a MCG game since Jonathan Brown in 2004. Morris had terrific support from young ruck-forward Henry Smith, who slotted three first-half goals in his first game for 2025. Smith came in to replace sore Oscar McInerney, who continues to struggle with a debilitating back injury. Darcy Fort and Smith battled manfully against star Collingwood ruck Darcy Cameron, helping the Lions comfortably win the clearance battle 50-36. After being towelled up by Suns stars Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson last week, premiership stars Lachie Neale (36 disposals) and Hugh McCluggage (34) were outstanding in the middle. "I expected the group to respond, I didn't know whether they would be able to respond well enough to win because we were playing a really good opponent," Lions coach Chris Fagan said. "It was really pleasing with a younger team to be able to come here and play in a big game in front of a big crowd and produce a really tough performance." Brisbane were dealt a major blow to their defensive structure when they lost premiership veteran Ryan Lester to concussion at the start of the second quarter. Trailing by 20 points at quarter-time, Collingwood powered ahead with five goals to two in the second term, including a long bomb to returning star Jordan De Goey. But after being sidelined for three months, the Magpies opted to take it easy with their dynamic ace, subbing him out during the third quarter. Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who has missed a month due to personal reasons, came into the game for De Goey. Hill flew for a trademark speccy in the last quarter after Lions star Will Ashcroft inexplicably kicked across goal. The Pies' second term was the only period when they looked close to their best, managing just three goals after halftime in a concerning form line so close to September. It was Collingwood's third defeat in four matches, meaning they will finish the round off the top of the ladder, replaced by surging Adelaide. "We've won one of our last two ... it's feedback, but I just have a positive lens," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said, dismissing concerns over the Magpies' form. "We were outplayed by a really good team, a hungry team. "Our second quarter was pretty dominant ... I want to dig into that and why that was the case and let's repeat that behaviour." The Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, were typically dominant early, but their influence faded as the game went on. It was the Magpies' first loss to the Lions since round 23, 2023, having won their previous four games against Brisbane. The Brisbane Lions have responded after a QClash debacle to knock off Collingwood by 27 points in a potential grand final preview in front of 82,326 fans. After suffering a 66-point belting by Gold Coast last Saturday, the reigning premiers roared back to defeat the Magpies at the MCG for the first time since 2014. Leading by 19 points at three-quarter time, Brisbane had to overcome some nerves in the final term to win 14.8 (92) to 10.5 (65) in front of the biggest home-and-away crowd for a non-Victorian team. Emerging forward Logan Morris bagged a career-best six goals in a commanding display - the first Lions player to kick that many majors in a MCG game since Jonathan Brown in 2004. Morris had terrific support from young ruck-forward Henry Smith, who slotted three first-half goals in his first game for 2025. Smith came in to replace sore Oscar McInerney, who continues to struggle with a debilitating back injury. Darcy Fort and Smith battled manfully against star Collingwood ruck Darcy Cameron, helping the Lions comfortably win the clearance battle 50-36. After being towelled up by Suns stars Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson last week, premiership stars Lachie Neale (36 disposals) and Hugh McCluggage (34) were outstanding in the middle. "I expected the group to respond, I didn't know whether they would be able to respond well enough to win because we were playing a really good opponent," Lions coach Chris Fagan said. "It was really pleasing with a younger team to be able to come here and play in a big game in front of a big crowd and produce a really tough performance." Brisbane were dealt a major blow to their defensive structure when they lost premiership veteran Ryan Lester to concussion at the start of the second quarter. Trailing by 20 points at quarter-time, Collingwood powered ahead with five goals to two in the second term, including a long bomb to returning star Jordan De Goey. But after being sidelined for three months, the Magpies opted to take it easy with their dynamic ace, subbing him out during the third quarter. Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who has missed a month due to personal reasons, came into the game for De Goey. Hill flew for a trademark speccy in the last quarter after Lions star Will Ashcroft inexplicably kicked across goal. The Pies' second term was the only period when they looked close to their best, managing just three goals after halftime in a concerning form line so close to September. It was Collingwood's third defeat in four matches, meaning they will finish the round off the top of the ladder, replaced by surging Adelaide. "We've won one of our last two ... it's feedback, but I just have a positive lens," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said, dismissing concerns over the Magpies' form. "We were outplayed by a really good team, a hungry team. "Our second quarter was pretty dominant ... I want to dig into that and why that was the case and let's repeat that behaviour." The Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, were typically dominant early, but their influence faded as the game went on. It was the Magpies' first loss to the Lions since round 23, 2023, having won their previous four games against Brisbane.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Wallabies beat Lions but are left to reflect on what could've been
Winning a dead rubber in sport can produce a range of feelings. Such a victory can boost morale, while providing relief from the humiliation of another defeat. Conversely, they can also act as a reminder of what could've been. For the Wallabies, in their three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions, it should be the latter. While the 22-12 triumph over the British and Lions in the third and final Test in Sydney meant they avoided a series whitewash, the result will also make them reflect on missed opportunities. The Wallabies offered up a meek performance in the first Test, which they lost 27-19 in Brisbane. They were dominated in the collisions on both sides of the ball and sorely missed the physicality of injured forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton. At one stage, the Wallabies trailed 24-5 and only added respectability to the scoreline after the Lions effectively put the cue in the rack, knowing their opponents were already beaten. The shoe was on the other foot the following week in Melbourne, with the Wallabies producing a largely clinical display in the opening 30 minutes to establish a 23-5 lead. As much as the Jac Morgan-Carlo Tizzano incident in the final minute of play was cited as the trigger for the Wallabies' downfall, the failure to protect their scoreboard advantage underpinned the 29-26 defeat to the Lions at the MCG. It wasn't a skill deficiency or poor match fitness that allowed the Lions back into the contest, rather the Wallabies' lack of confidence as a squad conspired against them. They didn't appear to have the self-belief required to put the Lions to the sword. The second Test loss isn't an isolated event in this regard, as the Wallabies have coughed up sizeable leads during their barren Bledisloe Cup run since handing over the silverware to the All Blacks in 2003. If the Wallabies are to become a World Cup contender again, they must rediscover the ability to land the knockout punch when they have teams on the ropes. Player depth is another concern, although to coach Joe Schmidt's credit he's made an effort to address the issue, having handed 19 players Test debuts in 2024. But world-class depth is elusive at this stage, as the Lions series illustrated. Yes, there are positions where it could be argued the Wallabies go at least two deep in terms of Test-standard players, such as openside flanker, where Fraser McReight and Tizzano are available. But the Wallabies' options are limited in other positions, most notably fly-half. Tom Lynagh showed potential against the Lions, but he wasn't in the same class as Finn Russell, who expertly steered the tourists' attack wearing the 10 jersey. The Wallabies next face the two-time defending world champion Springboks in back-to-back Rugby Championship Tests in South Africa, beginning in a fortnight. Where Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is selected may be of interest, as there is debate about whether the ex-Sydney Rooster should be shifted from outside centre to wing. If Suaalii's moves out one spot, Hunter Paisami may be recalled to the midfield, allowing Len Ikitau to return to his preferred position at outside centre. Would Schmidt consider a left-field option such as using Ikitau's Brumbies teammate David Feliuai at inside centre, given their effectiveness as a combination in Super Rugby Pacific? Perhaps that would be throwing caution to the wind, but the Rugby Championship does give Schmidt the opportunity to look at fresh faces across some positions. It would be a shock if the likes of the uncapped Ryan Lonergan and Joe Brial aren't on his radar when it comes to naming his wider squad. Bob Dwyer famously used the Wallabies' 2-1 series loss to the Lions in 1989 to take stock of what his squad lacked two years out from a World Cup. Realising there were players not — or no longer — of Test quality, he ushered in eight debutants in the Wallabies' next two internationals against the All Blacks and France, including 1991 World Cup heroes Tony Daly, Phil Kearns, Rod McCall, Tim Horan and Jason Little. Schmidt, who will be replaced in his role by Les Kiss next year, isn't expected to participate in any bloodletting. But like Dwyer did 36 years ago, he needs to assess whether the current squad is comprised of players that will be a chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup when Australia hosts the World Cup in 2027. The Lions series won't just provide lessons for the Wallabies, as Australian rugby as a whole needs to learn how it can improve. There must be takeaways for the semi-professional and grassroot levels of the game, which will hopefully benefit from the financial windfall the cash-strapped Rugby Australia will enjoy from the tour. During his career, World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry spoke several times of the transformative nature of the Lions' visit to New Zealand in 1971. The Lions, coached by Welshman Carwyn James, won the four-Test series against the All Blacks, with Henry describing the tour as "very influential on New Zealand rugby". "I think the '71 Lions won the first World Cup (in 1987) for us because we had to change our game," Henry said in 2005. "That shook the foundations of New Zealand rugby and from the top down things changed." Time will tell what impact the 2025 Lions will have on Australian rugby. But it would be hoped their defeat of the Wallabies can inspire young coaches and players locally in similar way to what Henry experienced.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Spirited Wallabies deny Lions series clean sweep
The Wallabies have restored some national pride and avoided a dubious place in Australian sports history with a face-saving 22-12 third-Test win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney. Joe Schmidt's side overcame miserable conditions, the absence of key forwards Alan Alaalatoa and Rob Valetini and first-choice halfback Jake Gordon as well as the loss of dazed flyhalf Tom Lynagh to record a spirited and spiteful victory at Accor Stadium. Much of Saturday night's match was played in torrential rain while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter. The Lions had been bidding to complete the first 3-0 series whitewash since 1904 after securing the trophy with a controversial 29-26 win in Melbourne last Saturday having won the Brisbane opener 27-19. Instead the Wallabies out-played and out-enthused the series winners from the get-go to make a mockery of Andy Farrell's side's dream to be known as the greatest Lions team of all time. In a match that had everything, including four pitch invaders during the delay, the Wallabies had all the answers: grunt up front, tenacious defence and the composure to close out the contest having blown an 18-point lead in Melbourne. The Wallabies enjoyed the early running and claimed a deserved 5-0 lead when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii skipped and drew in two defenders to put winger Dylan Pietsche over in the left corner on seven minutes. Replacing the injured Harry Potter, Piestch designed the First Nations jersey and did the jumper proud, also earning Australia a key first-half penalty by holding up Lions centre Bundee Aki. Despite being without the injured Alaalatoa and Valetini, the Wallabies also enjoyed scrum dominance with recalled Taniela Tupou having a storming first half at the set piece. The match erupted in the 23rd minute when the Lions took exception to Will Skelton pushing hooker Dan Sheehan off the ball. Punches were thrown in several melees but it was Skelton, who'd been agitating all game, penalised for starting the scrap. The Lions, though, still couldn't manage to escape their own half as the Wallabies continued bustling the tourists into error. Lynagh slotted a 34th minute to edge the Wallabies to an 8-0 halftime lead before the flyhalf made way for Ben Donaldson after being forced off for a HIA. TV replays captured Sheehan taking out Lynagh at a ruck and the Irishman will likely come under scrutiny from match officials. While Lynagh's head knock was a blow, the Lions suffered a worse break losing skipper Maro Itoje, who failed a HIA midway through the first half. Lions winger Tommy Freeman also left the action shortly before halftime with blood streaming down his face. Further compounding the tourists' woes was lock James Ryan being stretchered off in the opening minutes of the second half after copping an accidental knee to the head from Skelton. After going within less than a minute of levelling the series last week in Melbourne, the Wallabies played with passion and surely with a point to prove in front of 80,312 fans. Tensions boiled over on several occasions but the hosts refused to take a backward step. A 50-metre runaway try to winger Max Jorgensen in the 55th minute extended Australia's lead to 15 points, before the Lions replied through replacement forward Jac Morgan to revive their fortunes. But despite a last-second try to Will Stuart, there was no coming back for the Lions when reserve half Tate McDermott reached out to score with 10 minutes left on the clock. Big men Skelton, Tupou and lineout-stealing lock Nick Frost were enormous for the Wallabies and halfback Nic White, playing his last Test, getting under the skin of the Lions all night.
