“Normally, that’s probably been the policy – he loves guys training Monday/Tuesday, which is fair. That’s a fair policy.”
It would be more feasible for Skelton to play in the second Test against the All Blacks in Perth, with La Rochelle playing Perpignan on Saturday (Sunday AEST) the following week. Unless La Rochelle allows him to miss that game, Skelton would arrive in Perth on Monday.
But the scenario of Skelton playing in the second Bledisloe match could be reliant on the Wallabies still being alive in the two-game series, however, and that would require Australia to make more history and win at Eden Park in the first Test.
The All Blacks have won a record 51 Tests in a row at Eden Park dating back to 1994. And the Wallabies haven’t beaten the All Blacks at that particular fortress since 1986.
Andrew Slack is the last Wallabies captain to have won a Test match at Eden Park, in 1986.Credit: John Selkirk
If the Wallabies beat the Pumas and the Kiwis lose to the Boks this weekend, they could lose at Eden Park and still be a slim mathematical chance – via bonus points and other results – to win the Rugby Championship in Perth.
That could also see Skelton potentially return, but it would appear unlikely he’d make the trip for a dead rubber.
In the event of a Wallabies’ defeat at Eden Park, the parties would be more likely to start looking towards Skelton re-joining the squad for the November internationals, when the Wallabies play England, Italy and Ireland during the three-week release window.
With England and Ireland currently ranked above the Wallabies, away wins would be hugely valuable in the pursuit of finishing the year in the top six of the world rankings, which would give Australia a top seeding for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
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Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou said he hoped Skelton would re-join the side this year.
“Obviously, just having him on the team gives some of the guys confidence,” Tupou said on Tuesday.
“Hopefully, we’re going to have him back. I’m not sure when, but I miss having the big fella behind me because I don’t have to do much (in scrums). Just get into a good spot and then he’ll do all the work.”
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