Rory Arnold isn’t quite the lineout nerd his lock partner Adam Coleman admits to being, but he’s relishing every moment in the gold jersey.
A late adopter of rugby, Arnold’s rise to a regular starting spot has been swift but effective, with the second row starters providing grunt and accuracy in the lineout, amid plenty of change in the team.
Coleman is a self-described ‘lineout nerd’ and while Arnold said he wasn’t quite donning that tag just yet, he certainly enjoyed the set piece.
“No, not as much the nerd,” he said.
“Adam loves calling and he's good around that. I'm probably not on the same level as him.
“I still enjoy it, just not as much as him.”
The 26-year-old, from Murwillumbah, cuts a relaxed figure speaking to the media, betraying his on-field intensity.
“It's been really fun, touring with the Wallabies it's a first for me and I've been really enjoying it,” he said.
“Getting a couple more starts is also fun. I'm looking forward to this weekend and hopefully getting another start.”
At 208 and 204cm, Arnold and Coleman boast plenty of height but that is just one thing that the combination gives to the Wallabies, with their attacking skills well on display against Wales.
The fresh-faced pairing combined for 120 run metres in the 32-8 win, the most of any Wallabies starting combination since 2010 and Arnold said it was an element of the game they both enjoyed.
“We both like carrying the ball. It's always good to get your hand up and your hands on the ball, and have those hard carries,” Arnold said.
The duo, with 15 Tests between them, will face an intimidating assignment against Scotland, with brothers Richie and Jonny Gray an experienced pairing.
“The two Gray brothers ... there's some tall timber there,” he said.
“I'll be looking forward to it. They've established themselves as good locks over the past few years.
“I'm looking forward to this weekend and I'm sure if I'm given the opportunity that I'll be able to take that on.”
All of the Wallabies’ Spring Tour Tests will be broadcast LIVE on beIn Sports and streamed LIVE on Foxtel Go (for Foxtel subscribers).
