The Wallabies are dead-set on a positive response as they welcome the All Blacks to Perth for their crunch Rugby Championship encounter.

Enforcer Will Skelton says he intends to bring his trademark physicality to the showdown as Australia look to keep their faint title hopes alive.

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The 2.03m lock, who terrorised the British & Irish Lions earlier this year and proved a handful in two bruising Tests against the Springboks, missed the recent home double-header against Argentina due to La Rochelle club duties, as well as last weekend’s 33-24 defeat at Eden Park.

But now back in gold alongside fellow powerhouse Rob Valetini, Skelton insists he is ready to make an impact in front of a sold-out Perth Stadium crowd.

“It’s another opportunity for myself to come in and try and add to the squad, not just be a part of it. Try and be better, bring intensity, bring physicality,” Skelton said.

“That’s what the squad needs, and that’s what we’ve had the last few weeks.

“I’m thankful that not much has changed in four weeks, in terms of game plan, in terms of structures. I’ve been training the whole time at La Rochelle, so I feel pretty fit.”

The Wallabies, who fought back from 20-3 down to push the All Blacks close in Auckland, must now beat New Zealand with a bonus point and hope Argentina upset South Africa at Twickenham if they are to claim a first Rugby Championship crown in a decade.

“The Rugby Championship is still up for grabs, there’s still a lot to play for,” Skelton said.

“We want to make everyone in Australia proud of what we do and how we play footy. The [Bledisloe] series might be gone, but we’re definitely putting everything we can into winning this Rugby Championship.

“That will start with today’s training, and then we’ll build the week nicely so that we can really be at our peak come Saturday.”

ALSO: All Blacks lose backline star

Veteran scrumhalf Nic White has also been recalled by coach Joe Schmidt after Tate McDermott was ruled out with a hamstring injury. McDermott will have to undergo surgery and will be out for a number of months.

Back in our First Nations jersey this weekend 😍

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📅 Saturday October 4 | 5:45pm AEST
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— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 29, 2025

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