Wallaby star reveals logistical nightmare ahead of All Black showdown
SPOTLIGHT: Will Skelton says there is no point kicking stones over the logistical nightmare that has left him returning to the Wallabies side with the Bledisloe Cup already decided.
Skelton is set to return to Joe Schmidt’s team for the second Test against New Zealand in Perth on Saturday, after missing the Wallabies’ 24-33 loss at Eden Park last weekend.
One of Australia’s best against the British and Irish Lions and in South Africa earlier this year, the lock was forced to watch on television as Australia’s hopes of ending the Bledisloe drought were ended.
Both Bledisloe Cup Tests fall within rugby’s international window, and Skelton, therefore, should have been made available for them.
But his French club La Rochelle’s last game before that window was scheduled to play the Top 14’s Sunday night fixture in Toulon, making backing up and travel too much of a hurdle.
Adding to the frustration was that the Toulon fixture was ultimately postponed, meaning Skelton was unable to play in either match.
The story continues below…
“I couldn’t play against the All Blacks, no matter what. There’s not much point in looking back and changing that,” Skelton said.
“We’d spoken about it in South Africa with Joe [Schmidt], with the management, to see if I could actually make it.
“There was literally no way of getting here earlier than Wednesday. I think 03.00 am in Auckland was the earliest flight, so logistically it couldn’t happen.
“Otherwise, we’d have to go to the club, go to the president and work it out that way. It just didn’t get to that point.
“I love playing for Australia. I love playing for La Rochelle as well. We try and make it work when it can. I definitely love being here and being in the environment.”
The towering lock played in Australia’s first two Tests of the Rugby Championship in South Africa in August, with his presence felt in the 38-22 win and 22-30 loss.
But he played only one match off the bench for La Rochelle after flying back to France, before now returning to Australia for the last home international of the year.
The Wallabies remain a remote mathematical chance of winning the championship, but would need to defeat New Zealand with a bonus point and hope South Africa are soundly beaten by Argentina.
Regardless, Skelton said he would have no issue fitting back into the Wallabies side.
“Not much has changed in four weeks in terms of game plan and in terms of structures,” Skelton said.
“I do all my homework, make sure I get everything right, to make sure that when I do head out on that training pitch, I’m ready and I know all the calls.”
