Nicholas Bishop and Rhys Bosley have written some awesome articles on the Australian blindside problem, but I think we can take this debate even further.
I don’t think they’re missing anything in their suggestions of Ned Hanigan, Harry Wilson, Lachie Swinton, Pete Samu, Rob Valentini and Liam Wright as the main contenders for the No. 6 jersey and or the need for a bigger loose forward in Aussie rugby.
But the latter suggestion led me to think of a lock converting to the blindside. I’m talking about an Australian Pieter-Steph du Toit, an Australian Maro Itoje with a No. 6 on his back. Someone with the engine to last 80 minutes, marshal the lineout, be at least 198 centimetres and be an enforcer throughout.
Rory Arnold. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
The first thought was Rory Arnold at No. 6. My knowledge of Australian Super Rugby teams may not be the best when it comes to locks being able to play flanker, so please have a shout in the comments if I’ve missed anything.
First of all, Arnold has the lineout ability. Although Hanigan and to some extent Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are lineout options at No. 6 for Dave Rennie, Arnold trumps both in this department. He is a towering 208 centimetres, one of the tallest in the international scene. Against the likes of South Africa and Argentina, who have some of the taller locks and back rowers, the Wallabies could use Arnold strategically to man the lineout and compete.
The Wallabies lineout right now is fairly shaky, and with its shorter than average pack it is imperative for Rennie to reduce the gap in contestability in the set piece.
Could this benefit Michael Hooper and Liam Wright at No. 7? Having Rory Arnold on the flank could free up Hooper and Wright to play their natural fetcher game plans. Arnold would be an extra bulky carrying option and someone preferable in close contact compared to Hanigan, Wright, Samu and a Valentini in some aspects.
If the combo of Will Skelton (No. 4), Matt Philip (No. 5) and Rory Arnold (No. 6) were used, a beefier pack could allow some lenience in size when it comes to allowing a Hooper or Wright to play to their strengths.
Having said that, this is disrespectful to Hanigan and Valentini, who have considerably improved their contact work.
But Arnold also has the experience of playing in a winning team. He was a fixture of the side under Michael Cheika and played in the World Cup last year. At Toulon he has been part of one of the best teams in Europe and benefited from being in a forward pack with the likes of Jerome Kaino and Francois Cros.
However, from 34 minutes of Lachie Swinton we saw he has the mongrel and bite about him the Wallabies have been thirsty for for a long time. Swinton puts in dominant tackles, which are ever important at this moment in time.
Similarly, Hanigan has returned much improved in all aspects, and although Pete Samu hasn’t got the size advantage, we are talking about a radical change for someone to play in a position they have never played in for their entire career. Maybe this is too left field for Dave Rennie.
Age also counts against him. Arnold is 30 right now and will probably not make the next World Cup. His experiment at No. 6 may only be a short-term one that is not worthwhile for the cost of hindering the development of younger talent.
We do not know if Arnold will ever play again for Australia. Having said that, he is a quality lock who has some ability to transfer skills into the flank like other top locks in the game.
scubasteve
Guest
you don't know someones personal circumstances. some players with Pacifica backgrounds have whole villagers to feed etc. I don't begrude him earning a higher wage. He doesn't owe Australian sport anything. I am sure when he had the jumper on he was full of Aussie pride.
Dave R
Roar Rookie
This article is a bit silly, it's only value is triggering a discussion of who should be the wallaby blindside. No way should Rory be considered anywhere near the blindside position. 208cm blindside with zero mobility. PSTD is a freak, and probably can't be replicated. A guy who is 200cm with his mobility, speed and engine is a once in a generation talent. Itoje is actually a blindside, at 195cm tall, that is actually being played out of position at lock. He is so talented though he makes it work. I actually think Australia is in decent shape at 6 going forward. Swinton might be a grub, but he has potential. Hanigan is alright and might develop further with more opportunities. Gives away too penalties and is pretty weak in the tackle. I actually think the best 6 in Australia is Harry Wilson, where he often plays at for the Reds. I would start Valentini or Samu at 8. I just don't think Wilson has the speed and mobility to play 8, but he is talented enough to fill the role. Wright could be an option at 8, or just a big 7, but probably needs to put a bit more size on.
Buk
Roar Rookie
Good article, Unders, I think that theory well worth looking at (converting locks to No. 6), though perhaps not with Arnold, given his age factor, & other issues others have highlighted.
Philippe
Roar Rookie
Hello, You quote Matt Philipp in your article. Does anyone have the information of the date of his departure for Europe, cat all the supporters of Section Paloise (Pau) are impatiently awaiting him. However, Steven Cummins took the plane yesterday to join Rebels. An excellent player who we really appreciated and who has resigned to Pau for next season. Good luck to you!
Philippe
Roar Rookie
Rory Arnold play at Stade Toulousain (Toulouse, south-west) and not at Toulon (Near Mediterranean sea, South-East)
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Nah... I thought Handbags Hannigan is off to the land of the rising sun next year. Along with Hooper the back row will see a complete makeover. That will probably be the last we hear of them. The extra year will allow Liam Write, Wilson, McRight, valentini and Swinton to develop just a little More and be able to make a bigger impact at international level. I believe we will see an all reds back row as the major force in wallabies gold soon.
Bobbles
Guest
Latu is a mercenary. Forget him he had the Walkaby jersey locked but took off for easy cash.No pride in he jersey.
Ace
Guest
Rennie has fallen for Hanigans Charm. He will be the Wallabies 6 moving forward .A tremendous fast tough agile fearsome bloke he is.
Wallatahs
Guest
The one constant problem the Wallabies have over the last 7 years isnt their lack available good Blindside Breakaways.It's the lack of proper quality at openside.
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Agree. In fact the only spot I could see for him in the back row is at eight. My mind drifts back to Troy Coker filling this role at the Brumbies and the Wallabies at the World cup back in the day. From memory he was a lock convert and did a pretty good job at the back of the scrum.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Thanks Unders. A better option would be Arnold in the 2nd row and Matt Phillip as 6.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Bring back Angus Cottrell. Try Isi Naisarani.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Unders Rory is a great lock. He's obviously too slow for no 6 and not good enough at the breakdown.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Arnold is not flanker material, blindside or openside or any other side. He's simply too tall (and slow). Whatever you think he adds to the lineout will be lost at the breakdown and around the field. If Swinton can control his temper, he may be an option.
scubasteve
Guest
and Phillip is going o/s . - and Samu ahead of McReight and Hooper?? I don't think so. Whilst we are on fantasy land..... big body (130kg), 6'5" (taller then hannigan), fast, can break tackles ..bring back Taqele Naiyaravoro at 6. Let's train him up how to pilfer (bring back Talu Lotu at 2 for the pilfer if you must) and hit the ruck (can't be that hard). Not sure if he can jump but at 130kg he is probably too heavy to lift. Imagine him running close to ruck or even better in the outside channel. He is like a Caleb Clarke on Mexican supplements.
MonkeyBoy
Roar Rookie
Tooly, Miller retired from Rugby...
Tooly
Roar Rookie
No ! We don’t need Rory as good as he is. We have Neville. Philip and Neville, Loto 6. Samu and Miller or Wright at 7.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
A talented sloth he maybe but 6 is not his position. Arnold does not have the mobility or agility for the role. I do take on board though we have to develop these guys. Valentini will hopefully get more game time at the Brums, Swinton has the march on them all next year will be his third year in the 6 role graduating from club rugby from second row to 6 and is doing a dam good job at tah land by far his best season just past, just has to tackle a little lower. The Reds have a nice balance with two fetchers at 6 and 7 with Wilson at 8, the Rebels and the Force have been undecided with a mix of players.
Ross Cope
Guest
Being disrespectful to Valetini? Continually misspelling his name? Hanigan is another one. Hannnnnigan.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
In a word NO ..... Arnold is a lock. If it ain't broke don't fix it.