Behind the Scenes of Will Skelton’s Two-Year Journey with Size 19 Shoes as Wallabies Gear Up for the Lions Tour

Back in 2015, it came to light that Will Skelton was having difficulty securing a shoe manufacturer willing to accommodate his sizable feet with custom rugby boots.

Fortunately, ASICS rose to the occasion. The global president, Motoi Oyama, promised Skelton a pair of bespoke size 19 boots just in time for the Rugby World Cup, and they indeed arrived on schedule.

Fast forward ten years, and Skelton continues to sport ASICS size 19 boots, recently showcasing them to Stan Sport viewers.

During the Wallabies’ promotional event leading up to the British and Irish Lions tour, Skelton gave photographers a close look at his current footwear.

“I had them made back in 2015, and it took around two years to have my foot moulded into a last. ASICS have them available in Japan for whenever I need them,” he shared with Stan’s Morgan Turinui.

“They are a little bit roomier at the front so my toes aren’t crammed.”

Skelton further described the kit day as being akin to “Christmas”.

“As a kid, you always looked up to the Wallabies and those international teams. Getting new gear like ASICS boots and new suits is a treat… it’s fantastic to put on the jersey before stepping out onto the field,” he explained.

Among the larger players in the squad was Taniela Tupou, who also picked up merchandise.

Tupou revealed he wears a size 14 shoe, a significant contrast to Skelton’s size 19. But when it comes to jerseys, he faced a challenge.

“At the moment Will and I can’t participate in certain promos as they don’t stock 4XL, only up to 3XL. The one I have on now is a 5XL, meaning I skipped from 3XL to 5XL. It’s too big for me,” he chuckled.

“That’s a first.”

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt demonstrated significant belief in Tupou by including him in the squad after a somewhat inconsistent season.

In May, Tupou candidly shared with The Sydney Morning Herald, expressing doubts about being selected for the Lions tour.

Yet, Schmidt’s confidence in Tupou eases some of the pressure, as he struggled to articulate his feelings when questioned by Turinui.

“I thought long and hard about it, and if I made it or not, I was at peace. I’m incredibly grateful to be here, and I’m excited for the big months ahead, ready to represent Australia once more,” he said.