Skelton axed for Wallabies tour

[The InnFORCEr]

AAP
Jim Morton
September 17, 2014, 8:02 am


Rising cult hero Will Skelton has been axed from the Wallabies squad for their tour of South Africa and Argentina.

Three weeks after opposing the All Blacks, giant lock Skelton was left out of an injury-hit 28-man squad which will complete the Rugby Championship with Tests against the Springboks on September 27 and the Pumas on October 4.

Coach Ewen McKenzie has opted to take a bare minimum of three second-rowers in his tour party with starting pair Rob Simmons and Sam Carter, plus James Horwill.

Former captain Horwill was preferred ahead of Skelton for a reserves spot in the narrow home wins over South Africa and Argentina, while the 135kg Waratahs lock failed to impress in the NRC for the Sydney Stars.

McKenzie, who has selected 16 forwards and 12 backs for the tour, has named stalwart NSW prop Benn Robinson in his top squad for the first time this season as well as halfback Will Genia.

With hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau among the long list of 13 tour contenders unavailable, the fairytale story of 33-year-old coal miner Josh Mann-Rea remains alive.

Ninth-string rake Mann-Rae, who sat on the bench for the full 80 minutes against the Boks in Perth, will compete with Saia Fainga'a for a bench spot behind James Hanson.

Vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper has overcome a nerve problem affecting his neck to be set for his 98th cap in Cape Town, where he'll likely replace Peter Betham (foot) on the wing.

"It's pleasing to be able to bring in some experienced guys for what will be an extremely challenging tour of South Africa and Argentina," McKenzie said.

"Collectively, we add almost 250 games of Test experience to our squad through the inclusion of Adam, Will, Benn and Saia.

"While pleased to have finished ahead on the scoreboard over the past two weeks, we understand there is still a lot of improvement left in this group and we'll be working hard to ensure we see that over the next fortnight."

Also among players not considered due to injury are hookers Stephen Moore, Nathan Charles, Tolu Latu and Heath Tessman, prop Scott Sio, back-rowers Wycliff Palu, David Pocock and Dave Dennis, flyhalf Quade Cooper and outside backs Henry Speight and Chris Feauai-Sautia.

Wallabies tour squad:

Backs - Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Joe Tomane, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Nic White, Will Genia.

Forwards - Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper (capt), Matt Hodgson, Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, James Horwill, Sekope Kepu, Ben Alexander, James Slipper, Pek Cowan, Benn Robinson, James Hanson, Saia Fainga'a, Josh Mann-Rae.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...allabies-tour/

[MI5_Dog]

Really! They have to mention Pocock?
He hasn't played for a year and he's suddenly a shoe in for the Wallabies?
Is this how bad our back row stocks have become?

[blueandblack]

Really! They have to mention Pocock?
He hasn't played for a year and he's suddenly a shoe in for the Wallabies?
Is this how bad our back row stocks have become?

No. Have another read.

"Also among players not considered due to injury are hookers Stephen Moore, Nathan Charles, Tolu Latu and Heath Tessman, prop Scott Sio, back-rowers Wycliff Palu, David Pocock and Dave Dennis, flyhalf Quade Cooper and outside backs Henry Speight and Chris Feauai-Sautia.
"

[maelkann]

Would Ewan be counting Benny Mac as second row cover?

[GIGS20]

Would Ewan be counting Benny Mac as second row cover?

I think this is more of a "Work Harder Will" than him thinking he's got cover anywhere else.

Plus, South Africa is the last place on earth you want to take a lock who doesn't jump in the lineouts (OK it's because nobody can lift him, but the effect is still the same)

[Alison]

Yeah Skelton's height is useful, but he strikes me as a bit TOO big overall? He looks 'lumbering' to me, not agile enough because he's so big? Dunno

[GIGS20]

I don't know that the issue is his size, Rugby as a game is famous for catering for all shapes and sizes and I don't think Will would challenge that, but he's pretty lazy. He's been able to get by a whole lot longer suffering "Biggest kid in the group" syndrome because he also seems to have a pretty good set of hands on him.....he'll need to learn how to work or he'll never make any real impact on International Rugby.

[chibi]

Maybe Skelton would be better off with a spell in rugby league.

[Buddha Handy]

Saying he got axed is a bit dramatic. It is not as if they have brought someone in to replace him. There just wasn't enough room in a squad of 28. I am pretty sure he would have been the next chosen.

[jargan83]

Saying he got axed is a bit dramatic. It is not as if they have brought someone in to replace him. There just wasn't enough room in a squad of 28. I am pretty sure he would have been the next chosen.

Also if one of the chosen locks goes down injured in South Africa Skelton will probably be on a plane to Argentina

[Sheikh]

Also if one of the chosen locks goes down injured in South Africa Skelton will probably be on a plane to Argentina

Would they bother? Fardy, McCalman and Higgingbotham all provide potential cover.

[jargan83]

Would they bother? Fardy, McCalman and Higgingbotham all provide potential cover.

Because the ARU likes wasting money?

[Alison]

Because the ARU likes Tahs! ;p

[palitu]

yeah, he seems to be a Palu. Goes missing against the tough opponents.

i really don't rate him yet, like the above, he has gotten by with his size and is getting found out a bit when the going gets tough.

[palitu]

yeah, he seems to be a Palu. Goes missing against the tough opponents.

i really don't rate him yet, like the above, he has gotten by with his size and is getting found out a bit when the going gets tough.

But then again, he is pretty young, so you need to give him time to develop a full game, not just the offloads in the tackle, but also the hard graft, pick and drives, cleaning rucks etc.