In a massive boost for the Wallabies, Will Skelton confirmed on Monday that he will be fit and ready to combat the British & Irish Lions when the sides meet in Brisbane on Saturday night for the opening match of the series.
Missing the narrow victory over Fiji with a calf niggle, Skelton confirmed that he missed the game as a precautionary measure - but now is fit and ready to go for the opening test.
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"I twigged the calf," Skelton told reporters.
"I felt a bit tight leading into that Fiji game, so we didn't want to take any risks. But I trained with the team on Saturday, and, yeah, we're raring to go."
Skelton has become one of the most decorated Australian players in the current era, enjoying an immense reputation in Europe for his successful time in La Rochelle.
While a Lions series win would add to his successful career so far, the veteran lock admitted the Wallabies are only focusing one game at a time - and are happy to walk softly under the underdog tag.
"A series win? No, mate, we're worried about this game," Skelton smiled.
"This game at Suncorp, we've put everything into our preparation to make sure that we're at our best on Saturday, and that's what I'm excited about.
"I love it [being considered the underdogs]. We love it. We are, like Joe said, we're worried solely on ourselves. Lions have played some great footy, and we want to showcase what we can do on Saturday."
Skelton was captain of the Wallabies during the 2023 World Cup, with their pool exit seen by many as rock bottom for the current Wallabies.
While many of those players still feature in the current side, Skelton believes the side has progressed significantly since then under Joe Schmidt, and plans to showcase that with a strong performance on Saturday night.
"I think a lot of the group have moved on [from 2023]," he said.
"Last year was a step in the right direction and coming into the Lions, which is an amazing spectacle for the crowd and for the fans and for us as well. We're really excited for this fixture coming up.
"A lot on the line, comes every 12 years. We're really excited for this week.
"For me, I always try and make it a forward-oriented game. I love the set-piece, I love that battle, I love the maul, I love the scrum. I always try and put that into my perspective in the way I play.
"Joe's got a plan for us, and hopefully we can really execute that this weekend."
Following comments from Andy Farrell and Henry Pollock, the Lions have made it no secret that they can sweep the series - but Skelton has been no stranger to many of the players, singling out the likes of Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje for praise.
However, he also believes the Wallabies can be more than a match for the high-flying visitors.
"If you put pressure on any team, they can crack," Skelton said.
"I try and play how I play in the moment, whatever I'm feeling at the time.
"I know how much of a competitor he [Owen Farrell] is. You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off.
"He's like every great ten that I've had. He's demanding. He has high standards, and that's what you want in a team. People take it the wrong way, but that's how he feels. He needs to project himself; he's got history, and it's worked for him."
