Super Arnold puts the Wallabies coaching staff on notice

Super Arnold puts the Wallabies coaching staff on notice

Brumbies second-rower Rory Arnold put the Wallabies coaching staff on notice with a strong performance in the win over the Sharks to book a place in the semi-final.

Rory is set to join his brother Richie in Toulouse next season, with Richie playing a pivotal role in helping the side to a TOP14 title and a Champions Cup semi-final. The brothers are unlikely to link up for Toulouse next season with Richie joining Japanese side Jubilo but has been rumoured for a return to France in 2020.

Before Rory links up with his new club, he is likely to feature for the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup if he is able to force his way into a very competitive spot in the Wallabies squad.

Counting against Arnold is the fact that he is an out and out second rower and would be somewhat out of place on the side of the scrum but standing over 2 metres tall he is a fantastic option at the lineout.

Rory has been in and out of the Wallabies squad in recent times with Cheika preferring the likes of Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda and Rob Simmons with Arnold being called upon as injury cover.


However, Arnold laid down a marker for the Wallabies coaching staff with a massive performance in the quarter-final against the Sharks.

The half-time highlight package looked somewhat like a Youtube tribute video of the second rower who was a standout as the Brumbies took a 24-6 lead into the break.


He had the perfect start to the game as his massive frame drew in two Sharks defenders, inside the first minute of the game, before he threw a brilliant inside ball to put Pete Samu through to score.



He was amongst the tries again as he provided the final pass to Speight to score out wide. He continued to fulfil his core roles as a second rower as he dismantled the Sharks maul midway through the half forcing Jacques Vermeulen to break off the back and try chip through the defence.

He carried strongly made a few solid hits before his side looked as if they could concede in the final moments of the half as the Sharks had a 5m lineout. However, Arnold stepped up again to dismantle the Sharks maul and force the turnover.

Arnold was excellent at the lineouts securing every ball thrown his way in the first half despite some far from accurate throws by Folau Faingaa. One of his lineout takes also set the platform for a solid maul that Samu scored his second try from.

He continued to pressure the Sharks maul in the second half and almost prevented a try before the hour mark before Esterhuizen powered over after a scrappy Sharks maul.




As mentioned before Adam Coleman, Rob Simmonds, Izack Rodda, Ned Hanigan and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto have been Cheika's go-to men in the second row for the Wallabies but Arnold's form can't be ignored.

Coleman is certain to feature in Australia's squad as he is part of the leadership group while Rob Simmonds did impress for the Waratahs this year and is viewed as an option on the side of the scrum. Salakai-Loto and Hanigan are more blindside flankers who cover the second row while Rodda is a favourite to start with Coleman. 

Another candidate for the Wallabies is the Rebels' Matthew Phillip, who returned from France to fight for a place in the Wallabies World Cup squad and certainly impressed this season playing in the tight five and on the side of the scrum.

The Wallabies are certainly spoilt for choice.

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