Simmons would be Super pick-up: Cheika

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika may have left veteran Rob Simmons out of his squad to face Fiji but says the lock still has plenty to offer Australian rugby.

Rob Simmons

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika may have left veteran Rob Simmons out of his squad to face Fiji. (AAP)

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Reds discard Rob Simmons should be snapped up by another Super Rugby club.

The Test lock was told this week by Queensland he wasn't in their plans for 2018, shortly after being left out of the Wallabies squad to face Fiji.

But Cheika remains a fan despite saying the 71-Test veteran needed to show more aggression on a consistent basis.

"I'm a big fan of Simmons and I know that sounds a bit silly because he's not here (in Wallabies camp)," Cheika said.

"That's a guy who's at the peak of his powers right now and can improve so much.

"I'm banking on the fact that one of our Australian teams is going to be smart enough to see the quality in this guy and pick him up straight away."

The Melbourne Rebels, should they survive the Super Rugby cull, would be an option for Simmons, although they this week announced the signing of ex-England international Geoff Parling.

The Waratahs may also be in the hunt for some second-row cattle with Dean Mumm and Will Skelton leaving at the end of this season.

Adam Coleman and Sam Carter will start in the second row for the Wallabies on Saturday against Fiji, with Cheika liking what they brought as a combination although the coach said Rory Arnold would feature in the AAMI Park game.

"They're probably two very different types of locks and I know that you'd have to envisage that Rory's going to be there or thereabouts in the finishers, so, he'll do that job for either Adam or Sam in the back part of the game," Cheika said.

"I think the complementary nature of Carter and Coleman, different types of players was what sold us on that combo."


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Source: AAP



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