The Wallabies will look to Plan B for the Rugby Championship after towering lock Rory Arnold fractured his forearm while playing in France overnight.
Arnold was at the top of coach Dave Rennie’s hit list after Rugby Australia announced selection revisions earlier this month that opened the door to high-profile players plying their trade overseas.
For 2020 Rennie is allowed to select two players who have not met the 60-Test or seven-year service threshold that has been in place since 2015, and with a lack of depth in the second row, Arnold was in the frame.
Standing 208cm, the former Brumby has played 26 Tests and was part of Australia’s World Cup campaign last year before leaving for France.
But the 30-year-old broke his arm while playing for Toulouse, ruling him out of the Rugby Championship which gets underway in early November.
New Wallabies forwards coach Geoff Parling was watching the French team’s Champions Cup semi-final against Exeter and saw Arnold go down.
“It’s unfortunate for Rory – he’s a guy who came into the discussion about joining us for that Rugby Championship,” Parling said.
“He’s certainly a decent player and I like him as well because he’s about seven-foot-four so that definitely helps.
“Now we will reassess but I’ve got lots of confidence in guys we’ve got here.”
The Wallabies may now consider the likes of Will Skelton, Izack Rodda (both in France) or Adam Coleman (England), who Parling played with at the Melbourne Rebels before switching into coaching.
The Wallabies are currently in Christchurch preparing for two Bledisloe Cup Tests in New Zealand next month and are on the final day of a three-day hotel quarantine.
They will start physical training on Tuesday for the opening Test in Wellington on October 11.
Drew
Roar Rookie
I'll agree to disagree on him not offering anything.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I don't think he offers anything. Still a liability in the line out and lazy around the field
Paul D
Roar Rookie
How many tall locks aren’t particularly good at the line out? Kane Douglas is tall, but was not a great jumper. Skelton too. All I am saying is it’s not all about height. You just don’t pick a guy just because he’s over 2m.
Drew
Roar Rookie
Peter, what are you talking about with regards to signing and then taking up o/s offers?
Drew
Roar Rookie
I'm guessing you haven't seen much of Skelton of late. He is worth consideration depending on the balance Rennie is going for.
Davos
Guest
Phaeton- Simmons and Hanigan would destroy those two powderpuffs. :shocked:
PeterK
Roar Guru
The job being complex should not be confused with having to have complex movement in the lineout. Simple moves that the opposition don't read are the best ones, but that is a complex task to come up with these.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I agree PK, it is a complex job. I wonder though, have our SR and WB sides confused over-complexity for innovation?
JP
Guest
Paul How many top 6 teams who are successful have 194 cm locks? Id suggest none. And when NZ are at there best Retallick at 204 cm joins Whitlock 202cm. We don't want shorties at lock. We struggle as it is with tall ones.
Don
Roar Rookie
Winning is a better “optic” and drives more income than putting quality players into purgatory for exploring the options available to them as employees. Some fans may bear a grudge but I’d rather see a bunch of fans somewhat disgruntled than Australia not selecting the best players available.
Don
Roar Rookie
Dirty on him? As opposed to Kurtley or Speight. Apparently the negotiations with Speight and the QRU were “respectful” whereas the departure of Rodda, Lucas and Hocking was acrimonious. Nothing to do with the fact that the Reds still resented the departure of Kerevi and that the same manager looks after the trio... Or that the Reds didn’t really need Speight and will likely cut another winger this year to bring in Vunivalu in 2021. Or that Kurtley was playing like a busted arse and has done for 2 years or more...
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
Samu’s a bit short at 185cm, but the Brumbies go to him all the time, so he could be the third, too.
Don
Roar Rookie
Latu was close to being our best player at the 2019 RWC. Whilst we currently have some depth at 2 Latu should have been first picked if he was here. One of only 3 incumbents including Hooper and Koroibete who’s test form last season merits first crack this year. That said, I wouldn’t bring him back ahead of a lock and Kerevi.
Don
Roar Rookie
I’d happily bet on the players (maybe with the exception of a couple of locks) not bearing any ill will towards Rodda and would welcome him back.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Yeah I heard that after I put that up. I’m actually ok with the players we have. Maybe bring in Blythe but I really don’t see Skelton brining anything and Rodda May create disharmony so I’d look local
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I’m not speaking for other players
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Lay off the crack pipe Bluesfan... Latu needs to say away and should never be brought up again unless he come back to super rugby. I’d give the current NSW hooker a crack 1st
PeterK
Roar Guru
you didn't, the point is the players didn't view that poorly so i don't imagine they would view what Rodda did poorly either. Have you any evidence that the other players felt badly about what Rodda did?
Paul D
Roar Rookie
“How is it the right thing for players to sign and then promptly take up offers o/s i.e had not signed in good faith?“ Where did I say that?
PeterK
Roar Guru
How is it the right thing for players to sign and then promptly take up offers o/s i.e had not signed in good faith? A heavy proportion of top players would never have done the same thing since not a lot of opportunities were available o/s anyway, corona virus was hitting them harder.