Progress is slowly happening: What each of our Aussie Super Rugby teams must do to take the next step
There is a lot of hope around the country, but there's so much more work still to be done.
Rory Arnold has shunned big-money interest from French glamour club Toulon to pledge his future to Australian rugby, signing a new three-year deal with the ACT Brumbies.
The 208cm giant has been a consistent Wallaby contributor since breaking through for his Test debut against England in June, the first of his eight appearances at international level this year.
Arnold is now in coach Michael Cheika’s first-choice starting team, along with regular second-row partner Adam Coleman.
Wary of the dangers of heading overseas too early in his career, Arnold said the lure of the Rugby World Cup in 2019 was too strong to resist.
“It was flattering to receive offers from overseas, and it wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I am committed to the Brumbies, and Australian rugby, and am looking forward to attempting to stake a claim for a regular place in both the Super Rugby and international line-ups,” he said.
“It’s a new era at the Brumbies and there are a number of talented young players coming through the ranks both here and in Australian Rugby in general and it is an exciting time to be involved.”
According to French media reports, Toulon recently offered the 26-year-old an annual salary of 400,000 euros ($A570,000) to join fellow Australians Matt Giteau, James O’Connor and Liam Gill at the club.
Arnold, 26, only played his first rugby senior match in 2010 for the Murwillumbah Bananas’ third-grade team on the far north coast of NSW.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
There is a lot of hope around the country, but there's so much more work still to be done.
Some of the players don’t seem to have much of an emotional impact to losing.
The final result was 4-1 for the Kiwi sides but some of the results could easily have been different with a bit more maturity from the Aussies.
Kurtley Beale will play his first Super Rugby match in 1494 days after being rushed straight into the Western Force's lineup to take on…
After missing out on the title the last two years the Tahs players seem laser focused to win this year.
The Queensland Reds and the ACT Brumbies will battle it out under the lights of Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, and one team will…