Will Skelton in action for NRC club Sydney Stars.

Warathahs coach Michael Cheika has defended Will Skelton’s work ethic after the giant lock was left out of the Wallabies tour party to build fitness in the NRC.

Skelton’s conditioning came under the spotlight on Wednesday when Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said a decision had been made to get more games under his belt after playing only 106 minutes of rugby since the Super Rugby final.

Fox Sports

McKenzie indicated there was concern about Skelton’s ongoing fitness after playing off the bench in two Bledisloe Tests and training “on the fringes” after missing selection for the last two Tests.

“He’s just a huge guy. We have to make sure we can control … and he has to learn to control his condition. His body is growing whether he likes it or not. We have to manage that,” McKenzie said.

“The game is aerobic. It needs skill, it needs power, it needs aerobic, it needs all of those things, so we have to manage players on and off the field. He has a bigger challenge because he is just a massive guy…”

Cheika on Thursday said he was disappointed that Skelton’s fitness levels were publicly raised as a reason behind his tour omission, and questioned how any drop-off of condition had occurred.

“At the end of the day he has been in their camp for the last three weeks, eating their food and they’ve been training him. He doesn’t get unfit by himself,” Cheika said.

“I find it disappointing a player’s fitness is being talked about like that in the public domain when they’re dealing with him on a day-to-day basis. I don’t understand that player management.

“Talking on Willy, as one of my players, a Waratahs player, I am not pleased with that. I don’t agree with it, and I am not happy about it.

“I don’t think that it’s right. We will just have to agree to disagree.”

Skelton started eight games for the Waratahs and was used off the bench in 10 matches, and Cheika said he’d never had a problem with the 140kg lock’s fitness or attitude.

“He trained hard with us, and ran hard and he was ready for whatever he played. Whether it was 80, or 50 or 40. He’d give his best,” Cheika said.

“If training camps aren’t for training then what are they for. I am not sure.”