By Jonathan Drennan

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“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.