Will Skelton

Will Skelton was born on May 3, 1992, in Auckland, New Zealand, to Samoan parents. He moved to Australia in the early 2000s, where he initially played junior rugby league for the Wentworthville Magpies. At age 15, while attending The Hills Sports High School in Sydney, he began to focus on rugby union. His size, standing at 6’8″ and weighing 135kg, contributed to his early recognition in the sport. After attending a Waratahs training session, a team manager encouraged him to pursue rugby, leading him to join Sydney University in 2010. In 2011, he was inducted into the Waratahs Academy and the ARU’s National Academy. A fractured foot sidelined him for most of the 2012 season.

Skelton’s professional career began in 2013 when he signed with the Waratahs’ Extended Player Squad and made his Super Rugby debut against the Stormers. He also played against the British and Irish Lions in June of that year. His performance led to his Test debut for Australia in 2014 against France, where he scored a try in a 39-13 victory, contributing to his Wallaby Number 883. He was part of the Waratahs team that won the Super Rugby title in 2014 and later participated in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, although his tournament was cut short due to a pectoral injury. Following shoulder surgery in 2016, he moved to Saracens on a short-term deal.

During his time with Saracens, Skelton achieved significant European success, securing four Heineken/European Rugby Champions Cup wins (2016/17, 2018/19 with Saracens; 2021/22, 2022/23 with La Rochelle) and two Premiership Rugby victories (2017/18, 2018/19). In 2020, he joined French club La Rochelle, extending his contract until 2025. After a period away from international play, Skelton returned to the Wallabies in 2021 and was named captain for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He played in the second and third Tests against the British & Irish Lions in 2025, demonstrating his continued impact on the sport.