Nick Frost has backed fellow lock Will Skelton to thrive as Wallabies captain for Rugby World Cup 2023.
Skelton was a sudden appointment, seemingly not a part of the leadership group to start the year.
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The towering lock has talked about how his selection even took him by surprise, before eventually accepting Eddie Jones' offer.
However, Frost had little doubt.
“He mentioned he was very surprised but as soon we found out, we said ‘That obviously makes great sense for us’,” Frost explained to reporters.
“He’s a quietly spoken man and he leads by action and the little things that have popped up when you look back over this campaign, he’s obviously quite a leader himself.
“He loves that togetherness and connection in the group and he’s a big driver of that and being a family...He’s been overseas for a bit and he’s tried to bring a little bit of things back into our camp and it’s been very enjoyable.
“To be led by someone like that, obviously a big physical man in presence but then a guy that you know is always going to be there for you on and off the field is great.”
Frost recognises this is one of the most inexperienced squads heading to a World Cup in Wallabies history, with 25 set for their first tournament.
“No matter who was in the squad, it’s always guys that you treat like your brothers," he said. “If you feel like you've got a genuine love for them, you’re going to do better on the field as well and we’re just doubling down on that with such an inexperienced group.
“The connection has been great, no one’s really talking about the inexperience at all, so we’re all really keen to get out there and it’s super fun.”
This connection was only heightened by their trip to Arnhem Land, which Frost labelled a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity.
"It was pretty eye-opening just how the different cultures live and how remote they are as well," he added.
“We got off the grid for a few days so it forced people to talk to each other so we’re all doing activities together and just experience something like that we left with those great memories and the cultural appreciation for all that was pretty outstanding.
“We saw Nike the resident croc, turned up pretty much right on time and we got to feed it a few fish and it came right up onto the beach which was a pretty surreal experience. It’s essentially their pet and to see the young kids running around with a python and they don’t have a care in the world and that’s their culture so it’s really eye-opening."
