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'I feel a bit bad': Wallabies star reveals guilt over test recall

By AAP
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Towering lock Rory Arnold says he has more to offer the Wallabies in his second coming as a test player after being named to start against Scotland on Monday (AEDT).

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Arnold will make his first appearance for the Wallabies since their quarter-final World Cup exit in 2019, when he shifted his career off-shore to France.

Big body Will Skelton and versatile veteran Kurtley Beale have been included on the bench for the Murrayfield test.

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Arnold felt “bad” about being jettisoned into the starting team at the expense of squad members such as Matt Philip and Darcy Swain, although his new teammates had been nothing but welcoming.

“Personally, I feel a bit bad,” Arnold said.

“I’m rooming with Darcy (Swain) and know all the locks here well.

“They’ve been very helpful with going over lineouts and what I need to get my head around.”

Arnold joined Stade Toulousain – better known as Toulouse – who are the reigning Top 14 and European Rugby Champions Cup champions.

The 31-year-old said being part of the French powerhouse club developed his mental skills as well as rugby assets.

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“They do things a bit differently in Europe and playing in some big games up there and just understanding, with some moments around set piece are so vital,” Arnold said.

“I’m just a bit more relaxed in the big games – I’ve played in few more now.”

“I’ve learnt how to control my emotions better and how to settle into games a bit better.”

Arnold said when he walked away from the Wallabies he thought his test career was “done and dusted,” so was excited when coach Dave Rennie came calling. He was almost part of the Rugby Championship in 2020 but suffered an untimely broken arm.

“I absolutely didn’t think I would be back as I didn’t fit the 60-cap criteria.

“I thought I was finishing my Wallabies career then … it’s pretty surreal, and good to be back in the environment.

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“There’s a good vibe in the group at the moment and I’m happy and glad to be part of it.”

He said decisions on his eligibility would come from Rugby Australia but he would always make himself available.

“I’ll always put my hand up to pull the jersey on but those things are up to the people above me and we’ll see what happens.”

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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