Latest news with #LaRochelle
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'I was very raw' - Skelton itching for Lions rematch
Australia lock Will Skelton says he has been rewatching footage of taking on the British and Irish Lions as a rookie 21-year-old to whet his appetite for this summer's 33, one of Skelton's first senior matches was as part of a Waratahs side that lost 47-17 to the Lions in 2013."I was very raw," said Skelton."I didn't understand the magnitude of the tour as I do now with all the experience I have had now. "I watched the game again last week and I walked a lot of that game."I wasn't actually that good, I didn't have too many involvements - it was probably my third professional game."I wanted to look at what the atmosphere was like, how I was as a player then, how I have changed and improved, and just take it in as an experience because I know in a few weeks that is coming."Skelton, who moved to La Rochelle from Saracens in 2020, is the only overseas-based player in Australia's squad for their warm-up Test against Fiji on 6 6ft 8in tall and weighing nearly 23 stone, Skelton was asked whether his power could be a way for the Wallabies to get on top of the Lions forward pack."I will just try and be myself," he added."They have some great players, but we have also got some weapons in this team."It is about trying to fulfil that as best we can come those big games. "Aussie rugby in the last two years has improved a lot and this Wallaby team is playing a brand of footy the whole country is getting behind. We really want to take it to these guys."Skelton was part of Australia team that crashed out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stages, but a calf complaint limited his involvement to their opening weekend win over returned to Australia colours for the first time since the tournament in the win over Wales in the 2024 autumn Lions' 2-1 series win in Australia in 2013 was their first tour victory in 16 years, and is also their most recent.
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Wallabies giant rates Lions series as career pinnacle
Already boasting a bulging trophy cabinet, Wallabies giant Will Skelton says a series triumph over the British and Irish Lions will the "pinnacle" of his rugby career. The 33-year-old was the only overseas-based player included as Australia prepare to warm up for the northern hemisphere tourists with a Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. It will be Skelton's first Lions campaign, only facing them during the last series in 2013 with the Waratahs as a rookie 21-year-old. He has amassed a Super Rugby title with NSW, is a four-time European champion, and won two English premiership trophies with Saracens and two Top 14 gongs with his French club La Rochelle but says the Lions series is something special. "I was very raw, I didn't understand the magnitude of the (Lions) tour as I do now with all the experience I've had," Skelton said in Sydney. "It's a massive, massive occasion for rugby and especially rugby in Australia ... it will be the pinnacle. "It's very special and a lot of players have been putting their hand up to try and play in those games." La Rochelle surprisingly missing the Top 14 finals means Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will have Skelton for a full preparation rather than being parachuted in just before a Test. His French form has been down which meant his Test selection was no guarantee but his formidable experience and stature - 203cm and 145kg - made him hard to ignore."I don't think you're ever sure (about selection). You can have conversations with the coaches throughout that time, but you never know," Skelton said. "It's probably my first time in a while that I've been selected in the squad and been able to relish that moment beforehand. "To be able to prep well with the boys in the first campaign of 2025, I think that's really special and I'll keep that close to my heart." Skelton had praise for Wallabies squad newcomer Nick Champion de Crespigny, with the pair going back to Shute Shield days while the Force star also played against in the Top 14. "I played with him at Sydney Uni actually. At training he'd always put shots on, so I'll be watching out for him in camp and hopefully he doesn't hurt me before the games come," said Skelton, who was the Test captain at the 2023 World Cup in France. "He's always has that drive. He was always a worker .… and I saw in France that he had what it took."He'd be real physical in those games and his ruck work was outstanding so for him to be back and getting into the squad, it's a really proud moment for him and his family and it's well deserved."
Sydney Morning Herald
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I was very raw': Skelton's 12-year journey back to facing the Lions
Last April, Skelton told this masthead he had doubts about making the Wallabies squad, citing his form slump with La Rochelle. After a nine-game losing streak, La Rochelle and Skelton eventually found their form with five wins in a row, finishing seventh, one place outside the Top 14 playoffs. The club's final placing provided a silver lining for the Wallabies, who will enjoy a rare training build-up with Skelton ahead of potentially facing Fiji for the first Test of 2025 on 6 July in Newcastle. 'It's probably my first time in a while that I've been selected in the squad and been able to relish that moment to be able to prep well with the boys in the first campaign of 2025, I think that's really special. I'll keep that close to my heart and I'll really never take that for granted.' In the past 12 years since the Lions last visited Australia, Skelton's career has reached heights he never imagined when he ran out at the old Sydney Football Stadium as an exuberant 21-year-old. The second-rower may not have quite appreciated the magnitude of the tour then, but now if selected for the Wallabies to play in the Test series, it will be a highlight in an already decorated career. Loading 'It would be the pinnacle, no? Like, with the World Cups, the Bledisloe Cup, and you've got the Lions tour that comes every 12 years. 'It's very special and a lot of players have been putting their hand up to try and play in those games, that's an occasion where everyone wants to be playing.'
The Age
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘I was very raw': Skelton's 12-year journey back to facing the Lions
Last April, Skelton told this masthead he had doubts about making the Wallabies squad, citing his form slump with La Rochelle. After a nine-game losing streak, La Rochelle and Skelton eventually found their form with five wins in a row, finishing seventh, one place outside the Top 14 playoffs. The club's final placing provided a silver lining for the Wallabies, who will enjoy a rare training build-up with Skelton ahead of potentially facing Fiji for the first Test of 2025 on 6 July in Newcastle. 'It's probably my first time in a while that I've been selected in the squad and been able to relish that moment to be able to prep well with the boys in the first campaign of 2025, I think that's really special. I'll keep that close to my heart and I'll really never take that for granted.' In the past 12 years since the Lions last visited Australia, Skelton's career has reached heights he never imagined when he ran out at the old Sydney Football Stadium as an exuberant 21-year-old. The second-rower may not have quite appreciated the magnitude of the tour then, but now if selected for the Wallabies to play in the Test series, it will be a highlight in an already decorated career. Loading 'It would be the pinnacle, no? Like, with the World Cups, the Bledisloe Cup, and you've got the Lions tour that comes every 12 years. 'It's very special and a lot of players have been putting their hand up to try and play in those games, that's an occasion where everyone wants to be playing.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
O'Connor left out of Australia's Lions warm-up squad
The last of James O'Connor's 64 caps for Australia came in 2022 [Getty Images] Veteran fly-half James O'Connor looks set to miss out on facing the British and Irish Lions this summer after being left out of Australia's squad to face Fiji in their only warm-up match. The 34-year-old, who has made 64 appearances for the Wallabies, had been tipped to return to Joe Schmidt's squad for the first time in three years. Advertisement But number 10s Ben Donaldson, Tom Lynagh and Noah Lolesio have been picked over Crusaders' O'Connor. "Selection is always tight and there'll be players who are excited and those that are disappointed," Schmidt said. "There was a lot of healthy, robust discussion and we think we've selected a group that will work hard and connect well as a squad." New South Wales Waratahs back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been named in the 36-man squad after recovering from a fractured jaw. The 21-year-old had an operation on his jaw last month, sparking fears he would miss at least one of the Tests against the Lions. Advertisement Team-mate David Porecki has been recalled to the squad for the first time since captaining Australia at the 2023 World Cup, when the Wallabies failed to emerge from the group stage for the first time. La Rochelle lock Will Skelton is the only overseas-based player included in the Wallabies' squad. Australia squad Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright. Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson , Will Skelton, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.
