Wallabies to bring in two players to bolster Rugby Championship squad

Fullback Jock Campbell has earned his first call-up while lock Rory Arnold returned to the Wallabies fold for their two-Test Rugby Championship tour of Argentina.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will reveal a 36-player squad on Thursday ahead of their first Test against the Michael Cheika-coached Pumas in Mendoza on Sunday, August 7 (AEDT), with the second in nearby San Juan a week later.

The Australians are looking to rebound after losing the three-Test series against England, going down 21-17 in the decider last Saturday in Sydney.

Queensland ace Campbell broke into the squad after impressing at fullback in the final two games for Australia A in the recent Pacific Nations Cup.

The 27-year-old, who is equally at home on the wing, emerged on the national selection radar when he was named in a Wallabies training camp earlier this year.

The late bloomer is ripe for a Test cap after first-choice fullback Tom Banks suffered a broken arm in the first Test against England.

His replacement Jordan Petaia was then ruled out of the series with a head knock. Reece Hodge was subsequently brought in and the two are set to tour.

Rennie is permitted to bring in three overseas-based players and with Samu Kerevi missing the Argentina-leg on Commonwealth Games Sevens, the door opened for Arnold.

The 27-Test lock, who has been playing in France, joined the squad with Cadeyrn Neville (knee) and Izack Rodda (foot) missing the Rugby Championship.

Arnold played one Test on the Wallabies’ Spring tour last year, against Scotland, while his previous selection came at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Japan-based Quade Cooper injured his calf in the warm-up for the first England Test but has declared his availability in a boost after leading the Wallabies to five straight wins last year.

They will also have Waratahs lock Jed Holloway and Brumbies forwards Darcy Swain and Scott Sio back on deck.

Australia have historically dominated Argentina but the Pumas have their tails up after recently claiming a series win over Wales, relishing their return home after two years playing Tests away through the pandemic.

Cheika oversaw the Wallabies between 2014-2019 and was named head coach of Argentina in March, replacing Mario Ledesma.