Skelton gives Wallabies X-factor up front

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WALLABIES coach Ewen McKenzie believes giant Will Skelton can become the national team's forward pack X-factor.

The youngest member of McKenzie's 32-man squad announced yesterday, 22-year-old Skelton is in line for his Test debut in three weeks against France, just a year after his Super Rugby debut.

"Our game requires a forward pack that works, but you also need X-factor too," McKenzie said.

"How you find that, and how you distribute that, it is doesn't have to be the No.10 who has all the X-factor, as a playmaker. Someone like Skelton can make that difference.

"It gives us different ways to think about it, and how we might structure a team.

"I always like to have that tactical flexibility so we are not one-dimensional. We have a three-Test series, so we might be able to try different things as we go along."

Like the All Blacks have Kieren Read, South Africa Bismark du Plessis and England Billy Vunipola, it is hoped Skelton can develop into a world-class threat by the time the World Cup starts.

Three of the four uncapped players in McKenzie's squad are locks, with Skelton joined by the Brumbies' Sam Carter and Melbourne's Luke Jones.

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Given there will be three locks chosen in the first squad, and incumbents James Horwill and Rob Simmons have been inconsistent this year at the battling Queensland Reds, it is inevitable that at least one of the three new second-rowers will make their Test debut in Brisbane on June 7.

Skelton has worn criticism for his lack of lineout takes, a key aspect of lock play, grasping just four for the Waratahs this year.

But the 203cm, 135kg powerhouse has been used as an attacking weapon by NSW coach Michael Cheika. Skelton's charging runs, dangerous off-loads and deft inside passes have marked him as a special talent who possesses skills unlike many other second-rowers around the world.

McKenzie will not be influenced on Skelton's selection by his NSW lineout statistics.

"It depends on how you set up your line out, I have thoughts on it, I have had lots of different players with different attributes," McKenzie said.

"They have used him more as a lifter, but he can definitely still jump. They use him to carry the ball and different things, so they have a different system of play.

"That's for us to work out and work on. I don't think it is a limitation.
"Sita Timani last year wasn't a prolific lineout winner either, and he was around the Wallabies. It is really a question of who is, in your squad, so how many jumpers are in your backrow, the length of the lineout you play, all of those things make a difference."

Aiding Skelton in his bid to become a Wallaby is the fact McKenzie has identified noted lineout option Scott Fardy as a backrower.

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"We see Fardy more in the backrow, late in the game if we want to put him at second-row that's possible but that's not where we're focusing," McKenzie said.

"He did good things playing in the No.6 jersey last year in the way we want to go about it."

Skelton was placed on a media ban by the Waratahs on Thursday, with Cheika saying he needed to focus on Friday's crucial match against the Rebels in Melbourne.

"It's great for him that he's getting there, or thereabouts, I think his first focus is on concentrating on playing well week in, week out, being mobile, getting around the park more," said Cheika, who will use Skelton off the bench.

McKenzie overlooked NSW's Kane Douglas because he has signed a contract to play for Leinster later this year, while the same applied for France-bound incumbent Wallabies skipper Ben Mowen.

Both were valuable lineout options for Australia during last year, but McKenzie needs to invest in those who will be available to him at next year's World Cup.

"All the second rowers contribute different things," McKenzie said. "We have obviously see what Skelton can do in terms of the attacking side of the game.

"Sam Carter has a massive workrate and the defensive statistics, he is in the game all the time. And we have seen Luke Jones who is, again, consistent.

"I like the fact the opportunities these guys get they're in the game and they're consistent, week-in, week out. That's what you want.

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