Wallabies bring the power to beat Boks with Valetini, Skelton named in squad
Life after the Lions will begin in earnest for the Wallabies on Friday when they gather in Sydney ahead of a journey to Johannesburg the next day, for the first of their opening two matches of the Rugby Championship.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt named a 35-player squad on Thursday, and, crucially given their impact during the recent Lions series, Valetini was included on the list despite missing the third Lions Test with a calf injury, and Skelton was confirmed as having agreed to remain with the Wallabies instead of returning to France.
Skelton is poised to play his first Rugby Championship fixtures in a non-World Cup year since 2016, and his size and strength will be vital if the Wallabies are to take down the Springboks at Ellis Park on August 17.
The last time the Wallabies beat the Boks at high altitude was in Bloemfontein in 2010.
Taniela Tupou was also named in the squad, despite being in doubt for the first Test with a toe injury.
Power is the name of the game for Schmidt, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also finally recalled to the Wallabies squad after displaying dominant form against the Lions in three tour fixtures for Queensland, the AUNZ Invitational XV and the First Nations and Pasifika side, but failing to get a call-up for the Test series. The big Reds lock has replaced Josh Canham.
Elsewhere, the selection of Tane Edmed to replace Tom Lynagh (concussion) was confirmed as well but in another interesting twist, James O'Connor was also named in the group, though his original plan had been to join Leicester immediately after the Lions series.
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