The Wallabies’ disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign still haunts Will Skelton, with the towering lock having returned to national team duty desperate to make amends on Australia’s Grand Slam tour of the UK and Ireland.
Skelton was captain of Australia’s squad at last year’s World Cup in France but, because of injury, only played one match in the tournament.
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His absence hurt the Wallabies, who failed to reach the knockout stages under then coach Eddie Jones
France-based Skelton hasn’t played for Australia at all this year under Jones’s replacement Joe Schmidt, but the pair have kept in contact, with the 32-year-old forward named in the current Wallabies squad and hopeful of playing against England on Sunday morning (AEDT) at Twickenham.
“It was very disappointing how we finished up (at the World Cup), and as captain, it was tough,” Skelton said.
“I got injured at the World Cup and I went back to my club (La Rochelle) and I got injured three times during the season.
“Speaking about motivation, it’s always high … it will never whimper. It’s always there to play for Australia.
“When you’re not involved and you’re watching on TV, you always have that itch and you want to help as much as you can.
“The team’s building in the right direction and I’m happy to add where I can and hopefully be involved.”
Skelton has been impressed by what he has seen since arriving in Wallabies camp this week.
“I can already see the attention to detail, the work rate, our collision work as well, that’s what we try to pride ourselves on, especially this week against a class team … like England,” he said.
“You can see how much chat there is (in camp), the standards that are being set and just to be involved gain … we’ll be up for it. It’ll be a good test.”
Skelton said he hadn’t spoken with Schmidt about the captaincy, a role that has been given to No.8 Harry Wilson in recent Tests.
“With a new team and a new coach, (Schmidt) has got his own process with that … but just having experienced guys within the squad helps the group overall, and I’m just here to add as much value as I can,” he said,
