Ernest Skelton (born 28 May 1977) is an Australian-Samoan former professional rugby union player.

Ernest Skelton
Date of birth (1977-05-28) 28 May 1977 (age 47)
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight231 lb (105 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007 Reds 3 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009 Samoa 4 (5)

Skelton was originally a Deception Bay rugby league player, until receiving a 10-year ban in 1999 for striking a touch judge, after he had been sent off during a second division semi-final. An attempt to switch codes ended up in the Queensland Supreme Court and he was permitted to play rugby union from June 2004.[1]

A prop, Skelton got picked up by the Queensland Reds from Wests to play in the 2006 Australian Provincial Championship and the following year made three Super 14 appearances after being called up as injury cover.[2] He played international rugby with Samoa in 2009, featuring against Japan and Tonga at the Pacific Nations Cup, then in two matches against PNG which secured Samoa qualification for the 2011 World Cup.[3]

Skelton has five sons, including rugby player Jeral Skelton.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Tucker, Jim (7 September 2006). "Born-again Skelton". The Courier-Mail.
  2. ^ "Reds injury crisis deepens". Brisbane Times. 5 March 2007.
  3. ^ "Samoa put 100 points on PNG". Planet Rugby. 12 July 2009.
  4. ^ "Premier Rugby: Rugby and Wests are in the blood for Skelton". Rugby News. 28 July 2020.
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