NRC: Wallabies push their claims

Mon, Aug 29, 2016, 9:21 AM
Montanna Clare
by Montanna Clare
Henry Speight returned for his first game since being part of the Sevens Olympic extended squad.
Henry Speight returned for his first game since being part of the Sevens Olympic extended squad.

Capped Wallabies Henry Speight and Rory Arnold might have given Michael Cheika some food for thought in the opening round of the NRC.

Speight and Arnold both crossed in the Vikings' win, doing no harm to their Test chances, both on the comeback from lengthy absences.

Rory Arnold impressed during the Wallabies June Test series against England. Photo: Getty Images

For Speight it was his first match after a stint with the Australian Sevens side, including a trip to the Olympics as injury cover for the side.

It was handy timing for the capped Wallaby, with an injury to winger Adam Ashley-Cooper opening the door for a new face in the Test side.

Arnold played out an enthralling second-row battle with Test veteran Rob Simmons in the same match, with Arnold on the comeback from an elbow injury.

It was that injury that meant he wasn't in contention for the Rugby Championship squad but the Brumbies second-rower's potential in June, coupled with his NRC form, may put him right in the frame for the Springboks Test on September 10.

Only two months ago, the pair were starting for the Wallabies, but as foes, it was Arnold who got the edge at Bond University.

Luke Morahan scored two tries for Perth Spirit.

Speight might have a battle of his own, with Perth Spirit winger Luke Morahan and Wallabies extended squad member lighting up the Spirit's victory over Melbourne Rising.

The second round of the NRC kicks off this Friday at North Sydney Oval, as the Sydney Rays go head-to-head against Perth Spirit at 6:30pm.


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