‘It’s complicated’: Skelton caught between club and country ahead of Argentina trip

Rugby Australia has not given up hope of Will Skelton playing for the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship, after conversations were held with the giant second-rower over the weekend ahead of a squad announcement for the tour of Argentina on Tuesday.

After conceding three tries from rolling mauls in the second successive loss against South Africa on Saturday, the Wallabies’ need for the size, weight and experience of Skelton to shore up the forward pack was palpable.

The 32-year-old has often found himself in a tug-of-war between the wishes of his club, La Rochelle, who pay his salary, and his desire to represent his country. In March, Skelton extended his contract with the French side until 2028, despite reported interest from clubs in Japan.

Under World Rugby’s regulation 9, clubs are obliged to release international players in specific windows during the year, and can face penalties if they do not. The Rugby Championship is played over an eight-week window and European clubs have become increasingly frustrated with losing stars for long periods at the start of their season.

Two years ago, Springbok Eben Etzebeth, then playing for Toulon, was labelled as a ‘handicap’ by his club president, Bernard Lemaitre, due to being unavailable through injury and international commitments.

Captain Will Skelton is tackled by Beka Gorgadze of Georgia during the Wallabies’ opening World Cup game.Credit: Getty

After a long Wallabies campaign last year ended with a calf injury at the World Cup, Skelton stayed in France and began pre-season training with La Rochelle this month.

Coach Joe Schmidt was asked directly after the defeat against South Africa in Perth about the availability of Skelton, given the Wallabies continued difficulties in defending rolling mauls.

“I continue to have conversations with Will, but it is complicated to get someone like Will back out of the Top 14 lead-in, which is currently underway. They’re [La Rochelle] in pre-season training.” Schmidt said.

Schmidt has prioritised a domestic-based squad and will welcome back second-rowers Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams back for the two Tests against the Pumas.

“I think Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams are both back from injury,” Schmidt said. “They’re both going to be available, which is great.

“Nick Frost, certainly the games I’ve watched and the games I’ve coached against Nick, that was certainly his best game for the Wallabies last week [in Brisbane], I thought he was outstanding. He’s a big, athletic man, very good in the lineout, and probably the most physical that I’ve seen him play.

“So there’s a couple of those guys [to] come back. Taniela [Tupou] comes back. But we’re going to have to reassess a couple of other guys.”

Schmidt was again hit by a string of injuries to his front-rowers in Perth, losing captain Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper to concussion protocols, Angus Bell to a deep cut above his eye and hooker Josh Nasser to severe cramping.

Nick Frost in a lineout against the Springboks in Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images

Bell returned to the Wallabies line-up after having surgery to reshape his foot due to a toe injury sustained in April playing for the Waratahs. Schmidt confirmed the prop’s foot had held up on the sodden pitch at Optus Stadium and there was no aggravation of his previous injury.

After centre Hunter Paisami left the field with a leg injury after just 47 minutes, 19-year-old Max Jorgensen ran on for a long-awaited Wallabies debut. The Waratahs fullback suffered a broken leg in training before the World Cup and did not play a game.

Jorgensen had an opportunity to score after Tom Wright’s cross-field landed perfectly in his arms on the right wing, before his chip kick was blocked by onrushing Springboks five-eighth Sascha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

“It’s a dream come true,” Jorgensen said. “From [injury] last year in the World Cup, it was obviously devastating, but to get my shot again tonight, to finally put on the green and gold, it feels amazing.”

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