‘Logistically impossible’: Skelton weighed every travel option to chase Bledisloe dream

Will Skelton’s desire to help Australia win their first Bledisloe Cup since 2002 was so significant that he contemplated arriving in Auckland at 3am two days before the Eden Park Test after flying for more than 24 hours from France.

Ultimately, after reviewing every feasible flight timetable, the La Rochelle second-rower had to accept that logistically it wasn’t possible to play at Eden Park, where the Wallabies came desperately close to ending their 39-year wait for a victory at the stadium before losing 33-24.

“It just happened that the Top 14 had scheduled the biggest game of the weekend, which was Toulon [against] La Rochelle at 9pm in Toulon [last Saturday],” Skelton said.

“We’d spoken about it during the South African week with [Wallabies coach] Joe [Schmidt] and the management to see if I could actually make it [to Eden Park] ... there was literally no way of getting here earlier than Wednesday, I think 3am into Auckland. So logistically it couldn’t happen, otherwise we had to go to the club, go to the president and work it out that way, and it just didn’t get to that point ...

“I love playing for Australia and, again, I do love playing for La Rochelle as well. We try and make it work when it can and [I] definitely love being here and being in the environment.”

Skelton has managed just 35 minutes for La Rochelle as a replacement since returning to France after starring twice against South Africa in The Rugby Championship in August. Last Saturday’s Toulon game was ironically cancelled due to heavy rain.

Skelton arrived in Perth on Friday morning, aided by the availability of a 16-hour direct flight from Paris, as opposed to the journey to Auckland that would have included at least five more hours in a plane, with a stopover.

Although disappointed not to be in a position to win the Bledisloe Cup in Perth, Skelton is still motivated by the chance for the Wallabies to take their first Rugby Championship in 10 years.

“There’s still a lot to play for and also playing in the jersey we’ve got guys like Slips [James Slipper], who played 150 games for his country,” Skelton said.

“We want to make everyone in Australia proud of what we do and how we play footy so the Bledisloe might be gone, but we’re definitely putting everything we can into winning this Rugby Championship, and that will start at today’s training, and then we’ll build the week nicely so that we can really be at our peak come Saturday.”

Skelton’s appearance in the second and third Tests against the British and Irish Lions, and in the two-Test series against South Africa significantly enhanced the Wallabies’ physicality and ability to gain post-contact metres. Against New Zealand in Perth, he will combine with breakaway Rob Valetini, who has recovered from a calf strain.

Dylan Pietsch has returned to Wallabies training and will be involved in non-contact work after suffering a broken jaw in the victory against South Africa in Johannesburg as he looks to gain fitness ahead of the November tour to England, Italy, Ireland and France.

Andrew Kellaway did not travel to Perth as he recovers from a calf injury, while Tom Hooper has been passed fit after leaving the field at Eden Park for a head injury assessment.

Tate McDermott has been ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand in Perth after damaging his hamstring early in the game at Eden Park and his recovery timeline will be determined by scans on Monday.

Nic White will provide support in training in the absence of McDermott, with recent Test debutant Ryan Lonergan and returning Waratahs captain Jake Gordon competing to start at halfback in Perth.

The All Blacks are dealing with their own injury woes. Beauden Barrett was ruled out of Saturday’s Test with a shoulder injury, leaving Damian McKenzie as a likely starter and Ruben Love promoted as a replacement playmaker.

Captain Scott Barrett is expected to be fit to lead New Zealand out at Optus Stadium on Saturday, alongside winger Caleb Clarke, who injured his ankle in the win against the Wallabies at Eden Park.

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