Rugby Australia working with La Rochelle to release Will Skeltonfor Bledisloe Cup against All Blacks

The giant lock will miss Australia’s two home games against Argentina, but negotiations continue between RA and La Rochelle to potentially get Skelton back in the Wallabies jersey against the All Blacks.

Skelton has been available for Australia against the British & Irish Lions and South Africa under World Rugby’s Regulation 9 window, which states clubs must release players for Test duty, but at the same time RA is aware La Rochelle is paying him more than $1 million a season.

RA boss Phil Waugh wants to work hand-in-hand with overseas clubs to ensure the Wallabies get the best talent available, while ensuring the clubs paying the wages aren’t disadvantaged by extended international duties.

“We’ve got the Regulation 9 window, we’re just working through the scheduling between now and that second Bledisloe on the 4th of October,” Waugh told Code Sports.

“And then we’ve obviously got spring tour at the end of the year. So I think there’s a balance there to ensure that we’re getting the absolute best out of everyone when they put on the gold jersey, and we’re working through that with Peter Horne and Joe Schmidt.”

Skelton has proven his value to the Wallabies, excelling against the Lions and Springboks, and will be missed when Australia hosts Argentina on September 6 (Townsville) and September 13 (Sydney).

But if they can lure him back for the Bledisloe Cup matches in Auckland (September 27) and Perth (October 4), the Wallabies will get a huge boost as they attempt to reclaim the trophy for the first time since 2002.

Wallabies coach Schmidt will announce his squad for Argentina on Thursday.

Waugh was in the Wallabies’ dressing room after their sensational 38-22 comeback win over South Africa in Johannesburg for round 1 of The Rugby Championship, which seemed an eternity away from when the team was bundled out of the World Cup pool stages in 2023 under previous coach Eddie Jones.

“It feels like a long time ago, watching the way the guys are performing,” Waugh said.

“I always say that winning and losing is really important, but most important as an Australian is playing with pride and passion and absolute desire, and I think that the way that the team’s grown over the last 18 months under Joe’s leadership has been really pleasing to watch.

“You can see the quiet confidence that they’re starting to walk with, which just shows that they not only believe in themselves but believe in each other.

“There’s just a really nice, humble, hardworking feel among the group, certainly not getting ahead of themselves, but I think you see that they’re starting to get the rewards from all the hard work they’ve put in over the last 18 months.

“Joe spends a lot of time really instilling a lot of belief in the players and belief in their own individual ability.

“And in a lot of ways, doing the fundamentals really, really well. You bring together a team of 15 players on the field at one time and everyone’s doing their role 100 per cent of their ability and with real discipline and intent, then you bring 15 individuals together into a team that’s connected and all striving for the same outcome.

“I think that we’re seeing a team that’s really playing for each other, but also really executing on their own individual role within the team.”