One debutant in Wallabies squad for clash against Argentina

Yeah, really odd call on Arnold. Even if he had a less than best game at Perth why wouldn't you keep in the squad where you could work on his issues. This is basically the approach the AB's coaching panel take, how often do you see them jettison a player? Very rarely. Julian Savea was given multiple chances to improve. I think it sends a bad signal that Cheika has no confidence in certain players but then explicitly has overconfidence in other players.

Just watched the South African game again, and I am now even more perplexed about Cheika's decision to drop Rory Arnold from the squad... Although his stats don't reflect it, Arnold had a decent game. I noticed him contributing to clearing out rucks, winning the collision at tackle time (in attack and defence), throwing his weight around at mauls, and even scrambling in defence (most notably making the 1st or 2nd tackle after the Hooper/Speight try saver on Serfontein)... Tim Horan even commented that he had a good performance when he was replaced by Simmons (but what does a former centre now about forward play right)! Cheika is extremely arrogant, and his decisions continue to be flawed and bizarre. He is unquestionably a good coach, but he needs to stop playing favourites. I am starting to agree with the call that a new coach is required for the Wallabies even start to improve at all.

Yep, agree 100%. And I don't mean that they should give out cheap jerseys. But if a player's form has deserved a cap then, if possible, they should get a run at home. I have personally been more impressed by Banks than Koroibete but acknowledge I've seen Banks play more, so not such an issue, but not playing Arnold is baffling to me.

There lies a large part of the problem. Every Wallaby should be constantly nervous about selection. Conscious that they must give 100% in every match if they wish to retain their spot. Cheikas pets do not have that pressure and it shows.

Why not Higginbotham??

He's the newest Tah in the pack!!! Arnold being dropped??? Thought we trying to get a combination happening, Hannigan is a passenger but a Tah so he stays, Timani should be consistently played at eight so he can start to believe he has a place in the team and he will improve out of sight!!! Put McMahon at six if u must!! Why can't Highinbotham play at six????

Too cold for my 2 boys too, and I am not talking about my sons.

3 out of every 4 people make up 75% of the population. When it comes to viability, it is total numbers, not per capita. Canberra is the only major city that isn't nuts with AFL, It is no wonder there is a larger following. Sure the Raiders put a dent in the numbers, but I am betting that many Canberrans follow both teams, I know I would..

Did you watch the vikes-Spirit game? https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/nrc/live-stream Lance grabbed the helm with 2 hands and took control. He will be first picked by Allen Jones That said, Mack Mason and Macgregor are showing some mettle.

Or 7. Folau to 14, Hoops to compete with Beale for the #12 spot.

1 Finisher and one Wing/Fullback. So a big Fast Islander type at 11 and a fast fullback at 14. Recent Fijian League converts don't seem to have Rugby vision. Guys like Niavalu and Speight who were born with a Gilbert in hand are faring a lot better.

I hope you're right, Pirates ?. I get that he isn't Super Sefa, but I honestly wish him the best and hope he does well.

Or is it an Alan Jones / James Black thing?

There doesn’t seem to be too much argument about this matter in these forums. But let’s compare the attacking and defensive stats of Rory Arnold and Ned Hanigan from last Saturday’s draw verse the Springboks (thanks to ESPN). In attack, both players were quiet: Arnold - 1 Pass, 2 Runs, 4 Metres Made (I do remember 1 of his runs which was typical of Arnold, bending the line and winning the collision - although not translating into a heap of metres…) Hanigan - 4 Runs, 0 Metres Made (a couple of weeks ago Ned had similar Rums/Metres Made stats) They were both pretty anonymous in defence too: Arnold - 6 Tackles, 0 Missed Tackles Hanigan - 6 Tackles, 4 Missed Tackles Read into this what you will. But I personally agree that Arnold needs to work on his consistency and workrate as Cheika asserts. However, I think he is the right man for the locking position in the long run, because he possesses the physicality that the Wallabies have so sorely been missing. He also has enough skill to develop into a good link man. He does not deserve to be dropped from the 23! Hanigan needs another season or two in the NRC I’m afraid. I think he has potential at no. 6, but he is so far off the pace right now that he is “consistently” letting his teammates down…

In reality he plays "back 3" - the jersey numbers are somewhat immaterial now.

:) Yep Hannigan is definitely Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in the key of G at the moment.

"any other related matters."

From a marketing perspective It's a no brainer to play local players at their home game but one the EARU doesn't seem to be able to comprehend. Only three Force players in Perth last week. Now Coleman not playing in Canberra. I remember a Perth test a few years ago. The town was abuzz with the most popular player in Rugby, the Honey Badger going to make his Wallabies debut. I was at Wallabies training and saw him busting a gut. There was another player from Queensland in the mix. So what did they do? Debuted the Queenslander in Perth and made Cummins wait until the following week to debut in Queensland. Seriously you couldn't nmke this stuff up!

Even Cheika has mentioned Jono Lance as a good 10 yet he gets no opportunities despite running rings around Foley the last time they went head to head.

Not at 15.