Will Skelton blow for Bledisloe Cup as Joe Schmidt names Wallabies squad to face ‘fired-up’ All Blacks
Wallabies lock Will Skelton and head coach Joe Schmidt.
Will Skelton has been left out of the Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup after Joe Schmidt named an updated group ahead of the All Blacks double-header.
The gargantuan second-row returned to his club side La Rochelle following the games against the Springboks in South Africa.
Skelton therefore missed the encounters with Argentina to fulfil his club commitments in France, with discussions over his availability for the New Zealand Tests ongoing.
However, it has been decided that he will remain in Europe for now and, at the very least, not feature in the Bledisloe Cup opener in Auckland.
Schmidt will be allowed to add two players for the Perth contest, though, and it is understood that the second-row will be considered for that match should the Wallabies win at Eden Park.
James O’Connor named
One player that will be taking a flight back from Europe is fly-half James O’Connor, who remains in the squad ahead of the fit-again Ben Donaldson.
O’Connor flew to England on Monday ahead of the Gallagher Prem season having signed a deal with Leicester Tigers but, as reported by Planet Rugby, he will now hop on a plane to Auckland to join up with the national team.
The other two playmakers in the 34-man group are Tane Edmed and Tom Lynagh with Donaldson not being selected despite recovering from a leg injury.
Elsewhere, there is good news on the injury front for Schmidt as Nick Frost and Len Ikitau are named after missing the defeat to Argentina.
Jake Gordon is also back in the frame having been absent for the start of the Rugby Championship, something which has prompted Nic White to announced his retirement for the second time.
Gordon will compete with Tate McDermott and the uncapped Ryan Lonergan for a place in the XV next weekend.
“After an intense period, from the British and Irish Lions Series, playing in South Africa and then here in Australia against Los Pumas, it’s been ideal for players to take a breath before heading to Auckland for the fifth match in the Rugby Championship,” head coach Schmidt said.
“We know that the Championship has been incredibly competitive and that we will need to be better than we were last time out to have any chance against a fired-up All Blacks side.”
The Wallabies currently reside at the summit of the competition but, like every other team, their record reads two wins and two defeats.
They stunned the Springboks in the opening match and overcame Argentina in the third round, but on both occasions their opponents responded to beat Australia in the rematch.
Schmidt’s men will hope that does not happen against the All Blacks as they look to win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time in over two decades.
The Wallabies lost their grip on the trophy in 2003 and they have not managed to reclaim it since then.
Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole
