‘Didn’t think it was an option’: Captain Skelton reflects on World Cup journey

Four years ago, it seemed like Will Skelton was going to be the one who got away for Rugby Australia, the Wallabies and their fans.

Skelton was being put through his paces during a gruelling pre-season with Premiership club Saracens as the Wallabies prepared to take on the rugby world in Japan.

With coach Michael Cheika at the helm, the Wallabies were sent packing in the quarter-final stages after being bested by fierce rivals England in Oita.

The Wallabies were hurting, and so were their fans. They’d have to wait another four years for a shot at redemption.

Finally, that time has come.

Two days out from their World Cup opener in France, coach Eddie Jones sat down in front of reporters with his newest Wallabies captain by his side.

That man is Will Skelton.

“It's a long time ago. I was doing pre-season with Saracens at the time and watching the boys get through that tournament,” Skelton told reporters on Thursday.

“I didn’t think it was an option to be available to play in this World Cup, so I am very lucky and blessed to be in this position.

“It’s a massive responsibility but I’m extremely well supported, I’ve got a great leadership group and coaching staff who back me. It’s about getting the job done.

“It’s very special for myself and my family and I’m looking forward to leading these boys.”

The makeup of this Wallabies squad looks entirely different to the team that eyed the sport's top prize in Japan. 25 of the 33 players selected by coach Jones will make their World Cup debuts in 2023.

Coach Jones has taken that one step further, too, by picking the most inexperienced Wallabies outfit at a World Cup since Australia vs Namibia in 2003 – that was also coached by Jones.

The Wallabies take on Georgia on Saturday evening at Stade de France, and coach Jones has picked a matchday 23 with less than 350 Test caps between them.

“There are no advantages or disadvantages, it is just our best team,” Jones said.

“It is 20 years since Australia has picked a young team like this. It shows a changing of the guard. This is a new team that wants to take Australian rugby forward.

“We want to play a game that enthuses people in Australia to want to follow the Wallabies again.

“We have dropped down the rankings in national sports teams. We want to be a team that everybody in Australia admires and respects and can’t wait to see us play, and this group of young men have the opportunity to do that.

“For such a young team, the way they have conducted themselves has been absolutely first-class, and Will has done a great job as captain.”