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Wallabies to bring in two players to bolster Rugby Championship squad
By AAP
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.
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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