Wallabies lock Rory Arnold is determined to force his way into the Australian team now he's "paid the price" and served his three-match ban for a high tackle.
Arnold watched the Wallabies grind out a gritty win against Ireland in the series opener last Saturday and the 15-Test second-rower admits he "absolutely" got itchy feet in the stands.
Rory Arnold wants to force his way into the Wallabies for the second Test against the Irish.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley
The ACT Brumbies big man has completed his suspension for a high shot on Lions playmaker Elton Jantjies and is in contention for the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday.
Arnold, 27, has been in Wallabies camp since they convened last week and could be in line to replace Rob Simmons, who had little impact off the bench against the Irish.
"Watching any game on the sideline is tough but there were definitely some big collisions and it would have been good to be out there," Arnold said.
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"Hats off to the boys who were out there, it was a tough and strong and physical game and good to watch. Both teams played well but we were good enough to come away with the win.
"I got a tackle wrong three weeks ago and paid the price, it's obviously disappointing but I've got to park that and move on and wait for an opportunity, thats all I can do."
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has always touted Arnold as a player with plenty of potential and likes the physicality he brings to the game with his 208cm frame.
"Cheik has just told me to train hard and put my head down and keep working, but it's always hard to push your way into a team that has just had a great result," Arnold said.
"We'll wait and see what Cheik wants to do with his 23 next week and if Im in the mix then Im in the mix and if not Ill just have to keep working hard and go from there."
Arnold will be looking to join Brumbies teammates in the Australian side in Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa and David Pocock who was immense against the Irish.
It was Pocock's first game for the Wallabies since December 2016 after he took a 12-month sabbatical from Australian rugby last year.
The Brumbies remain an outside chance to make the Super Rugby finals for a sixth straight year and Arnold backed Pocock to bring his stellar form back to the capital.
"It's good to see him back in that gold jumper and his work rate was awesome, just busting himself, I thought he had one of his better games of the year," Arnold said.
"We [Brumbies] are a mathematical chance and obviously you want your better players performing and he's definitely one of those.
"It will be good if he can take that form back to Canberra, his job is performing for the Wallabies at the moment but I'm sure after June he'll transition back and get the job done."
The other impressive back-rower on Saturday was debutant Pete Samu who has joined the Brumbies from next season on a two-year deal.
Samu played 28 minutes off the bench and the Crusaders flanker lived up to his reputation as one of the most destructive back-rowers in Super Rugby.
Arnold said he liked what he saw in Samu and was looking forward to combining with the 100kg workhorse at club and national level for years to come.
"He's good isn't he, good on the ball and brings a lot of energy, that's what you want from a back-rower, he has a high workrate and is not bad in the lineout either," Arnold said.
"I'm looking forward to having him in the Brums and Wallabies set up in the future."
WALLABIES SECOND TEST:
Saturday: Australia v Ireland at Aami Park, 8pm.
Eamonn Tiernan is a sports reporter with The Canberra Times
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