'It was a very hard decision to make...I believe the timing is right to move'
Rory Arnold says it was a "very hard decision" to turn his back on Australia and the Brumbies to sign for Toulouse after the 2019 Super Rugby season.
Arnold is striving to feature for the Wallabies for the Rugby World Cup next year, but a switch to France will make the towering lock unavailable for international selection following the tournament in Japan.
The 28-year-old, capped 19 times by the Wallabies, said it was a tough call to leave his homeland.
"I've come to the decision that the 2019 season will be my last in Canberra. It was a very hard decision to make." said Arnold.
"The Brumbies have been great to me on and off the field and I'll always be grateful for that. I believe the timing is right to move on after this season and experience something new.
"Now that I've made my decision, I'm looking forward to the 2019 season and the future."
Brumbies chief Phil Thomson said: "Rory has the made the decision that he feels is best for the longevity of his rugby career.
"We would like to extend our best wishes to Rory and thank him for his commitment to the Brumbies for the past four seasons. We are looking forward to him performing strongly for us during the 2019 Super Rugby season."
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Can we also show some love for Tane Edmed’s fantastic draw and pass? Put his body on the line and committed the defender before letting go of that pass. Flawless skill.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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