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Arnold, Beale and Skelton fast-tracked into Wallabies side for Scotland

Rory Arnold. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Wallabies are looking for their “French connection” – Rory Arnold, Will Skelton and Kurtley Beale – to rip in against Scotland in their return to test rugby.

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Arnold will reignite his World Cup second-row partnership with Izack Rodda in the Murrayfield Test on Monday (AEDT) while Beale and Skelton, who hasn’t played for Australia since 2016, will start on the bench.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said the recalled France-based trio had made a “seamless” return to the playing group ahead of the Edinburgh clash.

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“They’re very passionate – desperate to play,” said Rennie.

“We talked to them a lot about how we didn’t want them to come in and just feel their way and be part of the group … we want them to come and contribute immediately.”

Rennie said that Arnold’s history with forwards coach Dan McKellar had helped fast-track him into the team while he felt 140kg fellow lock Skelton could be a “beast” off the bench.

Beale, who was a late call-up to the squad following Quade Cooper’s mid-tour withdrawal, impressed with his passion and communication at training.

“He’s a really good communicator – he looks sharp and he’s trained well,” Rennie said of 92-test veteran Beale.

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“He’s realised it’s a great opportunity – he probably thought his Wallabies dream was over and so it’s exciting.”

Rennie said the squad had moved on quickly from the disappointment of losing Japan-based trio Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon, who all opted to remain with their clubs.

“I haven’t heard anyone in the group talk about the boys staying in Japan, so we’ve welcomed the French connection and they’ve contributed really well,” he said.

With Cooper withdrawing from the tour, James O’Connor will wear the No 10 jersey for the first time this year, playing his first test in the UK in 10 years.

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Reece Hodge’s pectoral injury means Andrew Kellaway earns his first fullback starting role.

Up front, tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa returns to the starting side while the midfield is unchanged from the one that defeated Japan a fortnight ago, with Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau in the centres.

Hard-running NSW Waratahs centre Izaia Perese is in line to make his test debut after being included among the reserves.

Rennie spent four years coaching in Glasgow before taking up the Wallabies post and has fond memories of his time in Scotland.

The Wallabies’ memories may not be so fond after being thumped 53-24 in their last Test at Murrayfield in 2017, which ended a three-game winning streak.

Rennie felt the Wallabies, under then-coach Michael Cheika, underestimated the Scots on that occasion and he wouldn’t make the same mistake.

“They have obviously got a forward pack that can be hugely competitive, very good pace, tackle.

“They’ve got a strong defensive game and probably kick a little bit more than they were.

“Players like Finn Russell, Ali Price and Stuart Hogg have been around for a long time now so it gives them strike power and experience.

“We watched a lot of their footy recently, looked at all their Six Nations games and I thought they had a really strong tournament.

“We’ve got a huge amount of respect for them.”

Wallabies: Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (c), Rob Leota, Izack Rodda, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper. Reserves: Connal McInerney, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Will Skelton, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Kurtley Beale, Izaia Perese.

– Melissa Woods

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1 Comment
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James 1113 days ago

Nice to see Andrew Kellaway get a start at 15 he has been outstanding this year

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BeamMeUp 34 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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