Wallabies lock working overtime before World Cup; NZ Herald

Towering Wallabies lock Will Skelton is working overtime to improve his lineout jumping ahead of next month's Rugby World Cup.

The big-hitting Skelton knows the set-piece, as ever, will be crucial in the UK and it's an area he is desperate to better in.

"I think I can be a quality jumper and really bring that skill for my teammates," said Skelton.

"I'm working very hard with my fellow locks and the coaching staff on that."

Skelton, who is 204cm and about 145kg, is one of four specialist locks in a squad that boasts a couple of excellent lineout technicians in Rob Simmons and Dean Mumm.

The Wallabies play the United States in Chicago on September 5 before opening their World Cup campaign against Fiji 18 days later in Cardiff.

Skelton says the trip to the Windy City will be anything but a holiday for the Wallabies with coach Michael Cheika calling the shots.

"It's a great chance for us as a group to get even tighter," he said.

"We're just looking forward to ripping in over the next few weeks.

"Cheik trains us very hard and guys are going to be wanting spots. It's about keeping us accountable in our positions and working hard as a collective."

The recent drubbing at the hands of the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup decider hurt the Wallabies, but only momentarily, according to Skelton.

"Our confidence took a hit. It wasn't result we wanted but it wasn't our end goal is the World Cup and that's what we are working on," he said.

It's not just the set-piece where Skelton is looking to improve.

"I'm just trying to close out games more. I started a few games this year and moving forward, I want to finish those and be more consistent over the full 80 minutes," he said.

Skelton can't wait to tackle Fiji in the World Cup opener and knows the Wallabies will face a stern Test.

"They are a great group of players," he said.

"They're the real livewires of the rugby world and they'll be throwing the ball around and I'm really looking forward to battling them."

I don't understand how they haven't improved his conditioning, this issue has been there since he came on the scene for the wobblies. We will see what they can do about his line-out jumping as this is one of his big limitations.

 Hes up to 6PPM [ pies per minute ] and has managed a mighty leap of 3.2mm from a standing start with 4 lifters named H. Jack .And all this after a 15m run in 1 week 2 days and 15minutes .

 An ambitious training program but he should get the results us kiwis want 

 Wardad 
Are you sure it is not 6PPH, 6HPH, 6HDPH, 6KFCPH and  just filling in with regular meals in-between?
HPH      - Hamburgers per HourHDPH    - Hotdogs per HourKDFCPH - Kentucky Fried Chicken per Hour (whole chicken) 
Add to the above half-plat es of Fried Chips per helping, but you still cannot accuse him of over-eating - he cut back from 6 pies per minute.      

 Skelton has to loose at least 10 kg. if he wants to dispute the lineouts and to run more than the 10 minutes he actually runs.
it's completely unbelievable that a profesional player won't be able to follow a diet. It's quite easy. An example:



New diet helping Vunipola

22nd Aug 2015, 17:35

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Billy Vunipola: Fitter than ever ahead of RWC

England number eight Billy Vunipola has ditched the jelly babies and lost seven kilograms ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Along with sweets Vunipola has been working on his diet and is seeing the benefits in training, with a first chance on the field coming on Saturday against France in Paris.

Admitting that opting for a salad wasn't his usual choice, Vunipola gave credit to England's support staff for being "a massive help."

"Salad and vegetables are what I've been eating that I wouldn't eat normally. If you ever go to a Tongan dinner you would never see salad on the table. If it is there, it is probably the flowers decorating the table," Vunipola said.

"I usually don't go too often to my mum and dad's house. If I do go over it's between lunchtime and dinner so no one is cooking - I try and keep it safe.

"Mum just did the best for us and we didn't know when we were kids. The dieticians and nutritionists have been a massive help for us. My knowledge in knowing the types of food to eat and portion size have improved.

"There is always temptation, but what has helped me a lot is my knowledge. I never knew bread or pasta was bad for you. Or even jelly babies - I thought they gave you energy!"

Without that extra energy boost Vunipola has come through pre-season and revealed that he feels sharper and fitter than ever.

"I wouldn't say I've enjoyed pre-season, but we got through it. It's helped me improve my physical appearance and in getting around the field," Vunipola revealed.

"It's about trying to get more out of me - to be more powerful and to play the full 80 minutes to a better level. This is probably the fittest I've ever been.

"Hopefully I will be faster and more explosive, while also able to get over the ball and not be easily moved. Now I'm covering more distance. Hopefully we will see against France if it has helped."

 Ironically Vunipola was next to useless last night against France but overall the English pack we really overpowered so he was not alone.

 It did not really help last night - he seems somewhat flat during especially the first half of the match.  

 I didn't watch the game yesterday, I'm downloading it to watch this afternoon, but Vunipola was overweighted and the 7 kg. he lost can only benefit his game in the future

 by the way, this acrossthetasman web is excellent, all the rugby matches are there, the international warm-ups, the Pacific Nations Cup, ITM cup,.....everything,...

thank you very much, JW

He looked no lighter in that match last night.....he is still fat

 No problem AB, my pleasure.

 Good one Mikey ,I do hear that Skeltons running is now a match for continental drift ....