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Joe Schmidt and Rugby Australia must ask Tom Staniforth if he wants to play for the Wallabies. This question gains weight after Staniforth's recent call-up to the French squad for the Six Nations. The Canberra native struggled to break into Wallabies selections while with the Brumbies and Waratahs, but his impressive performance at Castres has caught attention.
Staniforth's move to Castres in 2021 proves strategic, aligning with a club that thrives on hard work and grit. After missing a season due to injury, he returned to help Castres secure a Six Nations trophy, though he did not earn a cap with Les Bleus. This opens the door for Schmidt and Kiss to capitalize, especially following Will Skelton's injury.
Skelton limped off during La Rochelle's Top 14 match against Bayonne, with fears of an Achilles rupture. La Rochelle's assistant coach Remi Tales confirmed concerns, highlighting the impact of Skelton's absence. The Wallabies need him, evidenced by last year's performance drop when he was sidelined. While Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams stepped up, none replicate Skelton's presence.
As Skelton faces a long recovery, the Wallabies must explore alternatives. Darcy Swain showed promise last season, but options remain limited. Plans need to be made swiftly.
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