Will Skelton was eligible for the All Blacks before kick-off against France, but by full-time he had proven why he’s one of the biggest threats to New Zealand’s Bledisloe reign.
With the remote chance of Kiwi-born Skelton turning out for the enemy extinguished, the news got even better for the Wallabies on Saturday, with his inspired debut enough to suggest he’s ready to step up and take on the biggest hoodoo in rugby.
The breakthrough moment came shortly after halftime, when giant lock Skelton found Israel Folau with a short-ball that would have made a five-eighth blush.
Skelton said the silky bit of skill was a no-brainer and something Wallabies and NSW Waratahs fans can expect a lot more of.
“When Izzy calls for the ball you give it to him,” said Skelton.
“We’re a pretty close-knit team at the Tahs and those little combinations help when you’re out there.”
Folau saluted the crowd as he swan-dived over, and Skelton lay on the ground 25 metres out laughing.
That’s the confidence of a man who barged through two defenders to score with just his third touch and celebrated by shooting his fingers into the air like a cowboy – or if you’re a wrestling fan, WWE favourite Daniel Bryan.
“I don’t even know his name. I just saw him on a video and the boys just get behind it and it’s good fun,” Skelton said.
A bulldozing clean-out that shook the earth was another highlight, but for Skelton the best moment of a memorable debut was his first carry.
“That’s always an indicator of how the game’s going to go,” he said.
“It was really humbling and I was just really happy to play for my country.”
Most importantly, the 140kg monster was able to handle the tempo of a Test match, and left the field after 57 minutes to a standing ovation from the biggest rugby crowd ever at Allianz Stadium.
Australia’s 39-13 win over France was confidence-building heading into the first Bledisloe Test on August 16, but optimism was tempered somewhat by the All Blacks also producing a five-tries-to-one victory over England.
The world’s No.1 side will be vying for a world-record eighth consecutive Test win when they clash with the Wallabies in Sydney, but Skelton has emerged as the wildcard for Ewen McKenzie.
“One thing that Ewen said before the game was that … the first cap is a very special moment but if you don’t get picked for the next game I guess there was no point in really going out there,” Skelton said.
© AAP 2014
