'Angry' Will Skelton just the man Australian rugby needs

It has been too long between nut jobs.

Let’s be politically incorrect for the sake of honesty - every international rugby team needs at least one angry man in the pack - for deterrent effect if nothing else. And while modern day rugby’s stand-over merchants operate in a far more regulated environment than, say, a decade ago, the fundamental requirement remains - Test rugby still demands forwards of notoriously vicious and intemperate disposition.

Of course they’re not allowed to openly thump people anymore, and rightly so. But that doesn’t mean to say there’s no place for controlled rage with the threat of violence simmering just below the surface. The physical intimidation skills to instil fear are still very much required, alas sans closed fist. It’s almost an art form, something much higher than thuggery. The recently retired Brad Thorn was its finest exponent, followed closely by Martin Johnson and sometimes Bakkies Botha.

In stark comparison, it’s a struggle to remember the last Wallaby forward with genuine crazy man eyes (excluding Nick ‘The Honey Badger’ Cummins, who is a back and one to laugh at, not fear). There’s been no Thorn-type to speak of in Australia. Just plenty of big, huffing and puffing plods who turn to marshmallows at first contact.

Only Willie Ofahengaue, Illie Tabua and Hugh McMeniman come to mind as genuine Wallaby badasses of the professional era. James Horwill, a hard man of sorts, tried to modernise his approach, but found himself stuck in a time-warp - he still wanted to throw haymakers. Torn between his natural instincts for the biff, not giving away penalties, and being able to find a middle ground of aggression his team could benefit, he ended up trading wild beast for carthorse. It has been sad to watch for he was the last mad hope for Wallabies supporters. That was until Will Skelton showed his true self in last week’s magnificent win by the Waratahs against the Crusaders.

Skelton, as we all now know, has been suspended for two weeks for his part in a tip tackle on Crusaders and All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock. It’s an appropriate penalty. And that illegal and dangerous action is not the basis for this column’s highlighting of Skelton’s physical intimidation. He should have been suspended. It’s everything he did in the game other than the tip tackle that impressed. Bowling over high ball receipt obstructers like Richie McCaw out of the way, clearing out rucks with and extra shoulder dig thrown in for good measure, and basically smashing anything standing in his way. We haven’t see a menacing forward performance like this in Australia for many a year. And long may it continue. The Wallabies have been screaming for a hard man for years, and the Waratahs will certainly need someone like Skelton should the make this year’s play-offs.

As good as the Waratahs have been in the big matches this season, they’re still no sure thing for a home semifinal. An away win against the Lions this weekend will be crucial. In fact, with three rounds to go, this week’s slate of games ought to be dripping with tension. The Hurricanes are probably the only side who are breathing easy. It’s a dog fight elsewhere. The Brumbies could be the competition sleeper. With games to come against the Bulls, Force, and Crusaders, they could yet sneak the Australian conference top spot from the Waratahs, and an all-important home semifinal.