Latest news with #Skelton
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Skelton happy with underdog status as Australia sole focus is on Test opener
Will Skelton may not think much of Henry Pollock's bravado in expecting a 3-0 series victory for the British & Irish Lions on Australian soil over the next three weeks but the La Rochelle and Wallabies lock is relishing the underdog tag. Skelton's Australia will welcome the Lions to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday as longshots on home turf following a less than stellar warm-up Test victory over Fiji a fortnight ago. Yet that suits the Aussie mindset and speaking at the start of Test week in Brisbane on Monday, Skelton said of the underdog status: 'I love it. We love it, yeah. 'We are worried solely about ourselves. The Lions have played some great footie and we want to showcase what we can do on Saturday. 'A series win? Mate, we're worried about this game. This game is at Suncorp. We've put everything into our preparation to make sure that we're at our best on Saturday and that's what I'm excited about.' Skelton faced the media alongside Australia's great rugby hope Joseph Suaalii, a convert to the 15-man union code from the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League. Outside centre Suaalii is no stranger to big games, having represented New South Wales in the annual State of Origin series against Queensland, and his first outings in union since his schoolboy days came as a Wallaby on tour in the Northern Hemisphere last November. Yet the 21-year-old was surprised at the media reception he got as he walked into Monday's press conference at his team hotel in Brisbane, making a point of counting the microphones and recorders on the table in front of him as he began to field questions. Suaalii may be young but he marches to his own beat, even warming up before matches in bare feet to connect to the earth beneath him, and Skelton has every confidence in the Waratahs midfielder. 'He does all right doesn't he? You would have heard people speak about it but the way he prepares for matches, I am still learning as one of the oldest in the squad how to prepare for a game and you take little bits from each -player and I have definitely taken stuff from Joe. 'He is himself, he is not being anyone else, even when he wearing his Louis Vuitton and singing his album, he is being him. That's all as a player you want to be and a coach like Joe (Schmidt), he wants us to express ourselves and be ourselves. He is a great asset to have in the team.' Suaalii declined to get involved in rekindling the running on-field spat he got into with Lions centre Sione Tuipulotu when Australia played Scotland at Murrayfield last November, dismissing the verbals as 'Just footie'. 'You know once you do things on the footie field, you keep them on the footie field. I am ready to go and ready to play. I don't have too much to say about that. 'It is all about us. I always focus on myself first before I put energy into something else. Obviously fans want to see a rivalry but at the end of the day it is a team sport. I am just trying to do the best for the team. 'There has been a lot of talk around that moment. At the end of the day, it is a game of footie. Whatever is said on the field, stays on the field. Who knows what team they are going to pick but whoever they pick we are ready to go.' Skelton, on the other hand, welcomed some tension between the teams. 'Ah, that's what you want isn't it? Our 12s going against their 12s, 13s against 13s. No matter what it's going to be a physical battle and we're up for the challenge.'
The 42
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Are the Wallabies good enough to take down the Lions?
THE WALLABIES PUTTING Will Skelton and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii up for media alongside each other today in Brisbane was a good reminder of the starpower they still have. Skelton is a big personality, the kind of fella you hate to play against because he chirps away all game, but also the kind of fella you'd love on your team. 'Usually when I'm talking, it's trying to hide that I'm tired!' said Skelton today ahead of what should be a big bout of verbals in the Lions' direction on Saturday. 'When I'm talking, I'm not thinking about breathing, so that helps. I'd rather people hear me talk than hear my heavy breathing on the mic.' Suaalii has become the poster boy for Australian rugby since his switch from league last year. Having played union in his school days, he adapted impressively in his first campaign with the Wallabies last autumn and will be a key man at outside centre in the coming weeks. Some in the Australian media have suggested that he is the man to 'save' rugby union Down Under but while Suaalii understands his role in representing the game, he says this is not about him. 'It's a team sport, it's not just me,' said the 21-year-old. ' I don't really buy into, you know, who's going to save this, who's going to do this.' The Wallabies duo enjoyed getting a dig in at their boss, Joe Schmidt. 35-year-old James O'Connor was recalled to the Wallabies squad on Friday, 12 years on from being at out-half against the Lions in 2013, then got a bad cut on the face in his very first training session. 'I think that was Joe Schmidt!' said Skelton with a laugh. 'No, I think he just got a rogue pad, it wasn't too bad. It was funny… day one, split eye, what a story.' Jokes aside, Schmidt has led the Wallabies' recovery from the lowest of low ebbs with the 2023 World Cup debacle under Eddie Jones. They have improved greatly in the last year, but it's impossible to ignore local pessimism about the Lions series. This has been pitched as Australian rugby's chance to grab the public sporting consciousness Down Under and show that the Wallabies are still among the sport's top dogs. In such a crowded sporting landscape, with the NRL and AFL leading the way, Australians don't have time for mediocrity. Advertisement Will Skelton clashes with Scotland's Jamie Ritchie last year. Craig Watson / INPHO Craig Watson / INPHO / INPHO It will arguably be Schmidt's greatest achievement if he beats Andy Farrell's Lions in this series, simply because of where he and his coaching staff started with them. The optimists in Aussie rugby are pointing to last year's steadily-improving performances as cause for positivity ahead of Saturday's first Test at Suncorp Stadium. After beating Wales twice last July, Schmidt's men overcame Georgia, then won just once in their six Rugby Championship games. A 67-27 hammering at Argentina's hands was the low point but the Aussies were highly competitive in a few other games, as well as beating the Pumas on Argentinian soil a week before that thrashing. Their autumn was better, a thrilling win over England at Twickenham followed by another victory over the Welsh. They were a clear second best in defeat to Scotland, but ran Ireland close in Dublin as Schmidt's clever plan nearly worked to perfection. Their only game since was the narrow win over Fiji two weekends ago in Newcastle, when they failed to take full advantage of a good start and found themselves needing a last-gasp try to win it. That performance saw Australian expectations dip again, but there's no doubt Schmidt hid his hand so soon before the first Test. He will have a good plan for the Lions. The Fiji game was a valuable exercise in getting the likes of Suaalii and wing Max Jorgensen up and running after injuries, while there were plenty of glimpses of smart play amid the errors. Skelton's power and size were missed up front, as well as his fighting spirit and slick handling. 'Ready to go,' said Skelton today, saying he has overcome his calf injury. It's a huge boost for the Wallabies, who are also hoping to have back row Rob Valetini – another big bopper of a carrier and tackler – back from the injury that kept him out of the Fiji game. There is more doubt around Valetini, whose directness and contact work would be hugely missed. Clever, controlling scrum-half Jake Gordon, another who was absent against the Fijians, is back available. The fact that the Wallabies have had so little time together this year, as well as Schmidt doing his experimentation last year, means their matchday 23 should have a familiar look to it. Tom Wright will continue at fullback and though the Lions probably think they can stress him with their kicking game, the Brumbies man is capable of shredding defences if he gets time and space in transition. The Wallabies hope to have Rob Valetini back from injury. Ashley Crowden / INPHO Ashley Crowden / INPHO / INPHO The highly-rated 20-year-old Jorgensen is expected to start on one wing and should be a big threat to the Lions. Harry Potter started on the other side against Fiji but there has been a push for the relentless Dylan Pietsch – so impressive for Western Force against the Lions – to get into the Test side. Suaalii will combine with Len Ikitau in midfield, a dangerous centre pairing who bring major athleticism. The towering Suaalii is among the best aerial players in rugby so the Lions will be expecting him to come calling in that area. Gordon was first-choice scrum-half last year, with Tate McDermott backing him up, while Noah Lolesio's injury should open the door for Ben Donaldson to start at out-half. O'Connor is coming from a long way back and while 22-year-old Tom Lynagh is talented, he only has three caps and is just back from a hand injury. Donaldson would be the characteristic Schmidt pick and the Western Force man has improved his running game in recent seasons, as well as providing solidity at number 10. Angus Bell and James Slipper will combine as a strong loosehead duo, Allan Alaalatoa is the main man at tighthead, and Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost are valued in the Wallabies' second row. Williams is more of an enforcer, while Frost is a long-limbed lineout jumper with the ability to make pacy breaks. They will combine with Skelton as the locking trio. At hooker, Schmidt must pick between the solid Matt Faessler, revived Dave Porecki, and up-and-coming Billy Pollard. One of the more experienced men will likely start at number two. Harry Wilson is the Wallabies' number eight and the outstanding Fraser McReight will lead their challenge of the Lions from the seven shirt. McReight gave a showstopping performance in defeat to Ireland last autumn and his ability to wreck the Lions' possession at the breakdown, as well as carrying powerfully, makes him perhaps Schmidt's most important player. Valetini will make up the back row trio if he's fit, otherwise Langi Gleeson may start again at blindside having done so against Fiji. There is some uncertainty around the Wallabies' bench, which could include the heavyweight tighthead Taniela Tupou, who hasn't been in brilliant form but can move bodies like few others. The back-up out-half and outside back picks will be intriguing. The reality is that Schmidt doesn't have anything remotely close to the options Farrell does in his Lions squad. The Wallabies boss will need his trusted core players to come up with something close to their maximum potential to win this series. And it feels like getting off to a victorious start in Brisbane this weekend is everything. Many of their own fans doubt that the Wallabies are good enough to pull this off, but they are happy to be underdogs. 'I love it,' said Skelton. 'We love it, yeah. 'The Lions have played some great footie and we want to showcase what we can do on Saturday.'
The Advertiser
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Wallabies warned Test against Fiji is a danger game
Fiji have warned the Wallabies of the danger of treating their Test match as a warm-up for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series as the Pacific islanders look to make history in Newcastle. After wrecking Australia's World Cup campaign two years ago in France with their first win over the Wallabies in 69 years, Fiji have set their sights on going back-to-back for the first time. The teams will compete for the Vuvale Bowl, with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front-rower, to present the trophy. Skipper Tevita Ikanivere says his side is up for the challenge and will take advantage if the Wallabies have an eye on the Lions, whom they face in the first Test in Brisbane on July 19. "No Fiji team has gone two in a row to beat the Wallabies yet and we're looking to be the first," said Ikanivere, who is the Drua hooker in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. "If they don't have their eyes both on us tomorrow, then I think they're in danger. "I know everybody there is hungry to try and beat us, to get us back, and we are too so it's going to be a great battle." Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson wasn't part of that World Cup debacle but said they had watched plenty of vision of the last meeting between the countries to know the threat Fiji posed. He said his team wouldn't be holding anything back for the Lions. "We're going out there to win," the No.8 said. "The last time we versed Fiji two years ago we had a tough loss there and it's such a massive battle. "Obviously we've been keeping our eyes on the Lions, watching the Super clubs verse them, but for us a Test match against Fiji, it doesn't get much bigger than that so we'll be throwing everything at them to make sure we go out there and get the result." The Queensland forward, who will lead the team out for the eighth time, said a win was more important than a perfect performance as they looked to build some momentum. A loss would severely rock their confidence ahead of the massive challenge of taking on the Lions in three Tests. "It's massively important so we're going out there we want to win," the 25-year-old said. "It's going to be such a tough Test match and we come out of a win it would be a really good start to our season. "Winning becomes a habit and I felt last year we had a lot of growth as a team and we put ourselves in a pretty good position by the end of the year and for us, we really want to expand from there and just keep putting out performances we're proud of." The Wallabies will be without two key forwards with Will Skelton and Rob Valetini both battling calf injuries. Flanker Valetini will rejoin the camp in Brisbane next Friday when the Wallabies squad for the Lions is unveiled while France-based lock Skelton has remained with the team. Skelton was Wallabies captain at the World Cup but missed the Fiji match, coincidentally with a calf injury. Wilson said he had been a great mentor for the players during their two-week build-up. "Will's been awesome and he's such an integral part of our group, and he's obviously a bit older now and he really mentors a lot of the young players in the team and is just a calming influence. "Obviously it's heartbreaking for him to miss this match, but no doubt he'll be ready to go in a few weeks." Fiji have warned the Wallabies of the danger of treating their Test match as a warm-up for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series as the Pacific islanders look to make history in Newcastle. After wrecking Australia's World Cup campaign two years ago in France with their first win over the Wallabies in 69 years, Fiji have set their sights on going back-to-back for the first time. The teams will compete for the Vuvale Bowl, with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front-rower, to present the trophy. Skipper Tevita Ikanivere says his side is up for the challenge and will take advantage if the Wallabies have an eye on the Lions, whom they face in the first Test in Brisbane on July 19. "No Fiji team has gone two in a row to beat the Wallabies yet and we're looking to be the first," said Ikanivere, who is the Drua hooker in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. "If they don't have their eyes both on us tomorrow, then I think they're in danger. "I know everybody there is hungry to try and beat us, to get us back, and we are too so it's going to be a great battle." Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson wasn't part of that World Cup debacle but said they had watched plenty of vision of the last meeting between the countries to know the threat Fiji posed. He said his team wouldn't be holding anything back for the Lions. "We're going out there to win," the No.8 said. "The last time we versed Fiji two years ago we had a tough loss there and it's such a massive battle. "Obviously we've been keeping our eyes on the Lions, watching the Super clubs verse them, but for us a Test match against Fiji, it doesn't get much bigger than that so we'll be throwing everything at them to make sure we go out there and get the result." The Queensland forward, who will lead the team out for the eighth time, said a win was more important than a perfect performance as they looked to build some momentum. A loss would severely rock their confidence ahead of the massive challenge of taking on the Lions in three Tests. "It's massively important so we're going out there we want to win," the 25-year-old said. "It's going to be such a tough Test match and we come out of a win it would be a really good start to our season. "Winning becomes a habit and I felt last year we had a lot of growth as a team and we put ourselves in a pretty good position by the end of the year and for us, we really want to expand from there and just keep putting out performances we're proud of." The Wallabies will be without two key forwards with Will Skelton and Rob Valetini both battling calf injuries. Flanker Valetini will rejoin the camp in Brisbane next Friday when the Wallabies squad for the Lions is unveiled while France-based lock Skelton has remained with the team. Skelton was Wallabies captain at the World Cup but missed the Fiji match, coincidentally with a calf injury. Wilson said he had been a great mentor for the players during their two-week build-up. "Will's been awesome and he's such an integral part of our group, and he's obviously a bit older now and he really mentors a lot of the young players in the team and is just a calming influence. "Obviously it's heartbreaking for him to miss this match, but no doubt he'll be ready to go in a few weeks." Fiji have warned the Wallabies of the danger of treating their Test match as a warm-up for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series as the Pacific islanders look to make history in Newcastle. After wrecking Australia's World Cup campaign two years ago in France with their first win over the Wallabies in 69 years, Fiji have set their sights on going back-to-back for the first time. The teams will compete for the Vuvale Bowl, with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front-rower, to present the trophy. Skipper Tevita Ikanivere says his side is up for the challenge and will take advantage if the Wallabies have an eye on the Lions, whom they face in the first Test in Brisbane on July 19. "No Fiji team has gone two in a row to beat the Wallabies yet and we're looking to be the first," said Ikanivere, who is the Drua hooker in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. "If they don't have their eyes both on us tomorrow, then I think they're in danger. "I know everybody there is hungry to try and beat us, to get us back, and we are too so it's going to be a great battle." Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson wasn't part of that World Cup debacle but said they had watched plenty of vision of the last meeting between the countries to know the threat Fiji posed. He said his team wouldn't be holding anything back for the Lions. "We're going out there to win," the No.8 said. "The last time we versed Fiji two years ago we had a tough loss there and it's such a massive battle. "Obviously we've been keeping our eyes on the Lions, watching the Super clubs verse them, but for us a Test match against Fiji, it doesn't get much bigger than that so we'll be throwing everything at them to make sure we go out there and get the result." The Queensland forward, who will lead the team out for the eighth time, said a win was more important than a perfect performance as they looked to build some momentum. A loss would severely rock their confidence ahead of the massive challenge of taking on the Lions in three Tests. "It's massively important so we're going out there we want to win," the 25-year-old said. "It's going to be such a tough Test match and we come out of a win it would be a really good start to our season. "Winning becomes a habit and I felt last year we had a lot of growth as a team and we put ourselves in a pretty good position by the end of the year and for us, we really want to expand from there and just keep putting out performances we're proud of." The Wallabies will be without two key forwards with Will Skelton and Rob Valetini both battling calf injuries. Flanker Valetini will rejoin the camp in Brisbane next Friday when the Wallabies squad for the Lions is unveiled while France-based lock Skelton has remained with the team. Skelton was Wallabies captain at the World Cup but missed the Fiji match, coincidentally with a calf injury. Wilson said he had been a great mentor for the players during their two-week build-up. "Will's been awesome and he's such an integral part of our group, and he's obviously a bit older now and he really mentors a lot of the young players in the team and is just a calming influence. "Obviously it's heartbreaking for him to miss this match, but no doubt he'll be ready to go in a few weeks."
Perth Now
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Wallabies warned Test against Fiji is a danger game
Fiji have warned the Wallabies of the danger of treating their Test match as a warm-up for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series as the Pacific islanders look to make history in Newcastle. After wrecking Australia's World Cup campaign two years ago in France with their first win over the Wallabies in 69 years, Fiji have set their sights on going back-to-back for the first time. The teams will compete for the Vuvale Bowl, with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front-rower, to present the trophy. Skipper Tevita Ikanivere says his side is up for the challenge and will take advantage if the Wallabies have an eye on the Lions, whom they face in the first Test in Brisbane on July 19. "No Fiji team has gone two in a row to beat the Wallabies yet and we're looking to be the first," said Ikanivere, who is the Drua hooker in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. "If they don't have their eyes both on us tomorrow, then I think they're in danger. "I know everybody there is hungry to try and beat us, to get us back, and we are too so it's going to be a great battle." Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson wasn't part of that World Cup debacle but said they had watched plenty of vision of the last meeting between the countries to know the threat Fiji posed. He said his team wouldn't be holding anything back for the Lions. "We're going out there to win," the No.8 said. "The last time we versed Fiji two years ago we had a tough loss there and it's such a massive battle. "Obviously we've been keeping our eyes on the Lions, watching the Super clubs verse them, but for us a Test match against Fiji, it doesn't get much bigger than that so we'll be throwing everything at them to make sure we go out there and get the result." The Queensland forward, who will lead the team out for the eighth time, said a win was more important than a perfect performance as they looked to build some momentum. A loss would severely rock their confidence ahead of the massive challenge of taking on the Lions in three Tests. "It's massively important so we're going out there we want to win," the 25-year-old said. "It's going to be such a tough Test match and we come out of a win it would be a really good start to our season. "Winning becomes a habit and I felt last year we had a lot of growth as a team and we put ourselves in a pretty good position by the end of the year and for us, we really want to expand from there and just keep putting out performances we're proud of." The Wallabies will be without two key forwards with Will Skelton and Rob Valetini both battling calf injuries. Flanker Valetini will rejoin the camp in Brisbane next Friday when the Wallabies squad for the Lions is unveiled while France-based lock Skelton has remained with the team. Skelton was Wallabies captain at the World Cup but missed the Fiji match, coincidentally with a calf injury. Wilson said he had been a great mentor for the players during their two-week build-up. "Will's been awesome and he's such an integral part of our group, and he's obviously a bit older now and he really mentors a lot of the young players in the team and is just a calming influence. "Obviously it's heartbreaking for him to miss this match, but no doubt he'll be ready to go in a few weeks."
Sydney Morning Herald
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Porecki returns for Wallabies amid concern over injured stars
Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki will make his return to the Wallabies for the first time in almost 650 days on Sunday after named to start against Fiji in Newcastle. But the injury-forced absence of star forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton has created some concern ahead of the British and Irish Lions Test series, which kicks off on July 19. Valentini and Skelton were not considered for the clash with Fiji after picking up calf strains in training, but there is confidence the big pair will still be available to meet the Lions in Brisbane. Halfback Jake Gordon was also not considered, after failing to overcome a hamstring injury. Tate McDermott was named in the no.9 to partner Noah Lolesio in the halves, with Nic White on the bench. Porecki has returned to the Wallabies no.2 jersey for the first time since the disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign in 2023, when the 32-year-old was promoted to the captaincy following a mid-tournament injury to Skelton. The NSW hooker suffered a chronic Achilles' tendon injury that kept him sidelined for most of 2024, and he withdrew from consideration for the Spring Tour due to the birth of his twins in November. After rescinding his invitation for a Wallabies camp in January due to Langi Gleeson signing overseas, Schmidt has turned to the in-form Tah backrower to replace Valetini and start in the no.6 jersey. Tom Hooper, another who has committed to play overseas next year, has also won a spot in the team, on the bench. Force dynamo Carlo Tizzano is the back-up flanker for a backrow featuring Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, who has retained the captaincy.
