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.
Redderthankevin
Guest
I don't like Douglas. He will have problems at the reds if he keeps his Waratah ways. Reds is about ream work. Poor player and team man. Simmons is the man
Doubles
Guest
Douglas is not up to it, Simmons Neville Rodda and Tui are better than him at the REDS,.Stiles will realize this and drop him out of the squad..
Red Kev
Guest
Douglas?! HA!! He'll be on the bench by the end of Super Rugby season. Absolute pretender.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
This is good news. Inch by inch the Wallaby is moving in the right direction. The only question is if our inches are going to make up the miles of lost ground in time. The most important changes IMO will be in the management, coaching and selection polcies going forward. Cheika made a number of small but significant mistakes this year. The acknowledgement and correction of these is the most crucial 'signing' we need to make.
Blackfish
Roar Rookie
That's a lot of Euros getting knocked back. Well done Rory. If that's the sort of dosh for a year in France we will losing a few more.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
It must be Christmas or something. At any other time of the year, this comment would have attracted a truck load of outraged cries by now. Although I do agree that it was odd that Simmons didn't get mentioned as one covering lock in the article or by What!
tsuru
Roar Rookie
My guess is that the ARU is applying a "bird in the hand worth 2 in the bush" philosophy. Can you imagine the outcry if they lost Pocock by investing in 2 or more newbies and the newbies didn't come up to scratch?
RubberLegs
Guest
It's fair to say that Coach Clown will select Coleman and Arnold first but that doesn't mean it's a smart move. Simmons carried the ball more than any other Wallaby player in the last test and he doesn't get a mention in the article. Coleman and Arnold were injured and don't have Simmons' workrate or tackling skill. Only Simmons can reliably catch the kind of shxt passes Phipps delivers.
puff
Guest
Discouraging talented players from applying their trade overseas at such a young age is a positive. Although we need to be mindful, the environment locally needs to be conducive so such players can achieve their potential, sadly this is not always the case. However, it is now difficult understanding, why the ARU would paid Pocock such a large amount for this future services when his prospects moving forward may not be that rewarding. Would it not be more worthwhile investing in future players not a player with numerous personal agendas?
farmer
Guest
I played against Rory and his brother in their first years. Rory played 8 and brother played 13. They were a handful. When the team was about to pack down for a scrum the hooker would say " bunch up bananas "!!! And they are officially the Gentlemen From Murwillumbah.
What!
Guest
Tbh its been a while since youve had such good prospects in the tight 5. Im very optimistic about Aus in 2017. Coleman, Arnold and Douglas covering lock. McMahon, Hooper and Timani as the backrow with Higgonbotham off the bench. Im predicting Aus to really take it up a gear next season. Theyll be hard for any team to beat.
Rt
Guest
Lock in his twin at the force. Same story just started a year or so later. Btw how good a name is the murwillimbah bananas?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Good. Tight five forwards finally getting some respect out of the ARU.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Excellent, good work ARU. Lock in CFoleman too if you haven't already, plus Sio, Alaalatoa, LTimani, young Tahs Holloway, Dempsey and Hanigan, rising Reds Tupou and Tui - you get the drift.