'I'm probably a few steps behind': Toulouse timber playing Wallabies catch-up
Veteran lock Rory Arnold has shrugged off any injury concerns to put his hand up for selection for the Wallabies’ opening Rugby Championship Test against Argentina.
The 32-year-old, who is shifting his career from France to Japan, is primed to make his first appearance of the year for the Wallabies as they look to rebound from a disappointing home series loss to England.
Arnold has replaced Samu Kerevi as one of coach Dave Rennie’s three overseas-based player picks, with the blockbusting centre joining the Sevens team at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Ex-Brumby Arnold said he picked up a calf injury while trying to keep fit following the end of the French season six weeks ago.
“I’ve been on holiday ever since and I was just doing a bit of extras and felt a bit of a calf strain so last week I was rehabbing that and she’s coming good now so good to go,” Arnold said on Thursday.
He admitted he could be a little off the pace set by the players who were part of the three England Tests but felt he could make up ground before the match in Mendoza on August 7 (AEST).
Arnold is vying with Matt Philip, Nick Frost, Jed Holloway, Darcy Swain and Rob Leota for a second row spot.
“Coming off the England series they’re going to be fit and ready to go and I’m probably a few steps behind them but I’m confident in my ability and I’ll get up to scratch in no time,” he said.
Apart from a call-up from Rennie for last year’s UK spring tour, Arnold played the remainder of his 29 Tests under Michael Cheika, who now coaches Argentina.
Arnold said he knew what to expect from a Cheika-coached side.
“It’s good to come up against him and that group are obviously coming off some success with the series win over Scotland.
“All the teams that are coached by Cheik, he wants them to be physical and we will be expecting that next weekend against the Pumas.”
Having played with European heavyweights Toulouse since 2019, Arnold hoped his experience could make a difference to the Wallabies pack.
“I’ve got a bit of experience now and I’ve played in some big games overseas,” said the 208cm Arnold.
“I will just try to bring that calm sort of edge about it, and we’ll see how we go.”
While he has yet to disclose which club he will play for in Japan after signing a big money multi-year deal, Arnold said he hadn’t ruled out a return to Australian rugby.
But he supported the Giteau Law, which limited the number of overseas-based players who could be selected into the Wallabies.
“You can see why it’s there, to keep the talent in Australia and playing Super Rugby … there’s tough decisions to be made.”
– Melissa Woods
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
36 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
36 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
36 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
36 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments