Arnold was recognised as the best Brumbies player of the year at the club's end of season function, becoming the first second-rower in history to win the Brett Robinson Award on an emotional night for the players.

The Brumbies farewelled retiring duo Ben Alexander, the club's most-capped player, and Andrew Smith, as well as saying goodbye to departing general manager of professional rugby Damien Hill.

But Arnold was the toast of the night, capping the best season of his four-season career with the best and fairest award on the eve of a National Rugby Championship match that doubles as a Wallabies selection trial.

Many regard Arnold as the most unlucky player in Australian rugby at the moment, left out of the past two Tests against New Zealand and unable to earn a Wallabies cap so far this year.

But his Brumbies teammates voted the 209 centimetre lineout weapon the best of the year, beating David Pocock and Tom Banks for the prestigious Brumbies prize.

His rivals also consider him one of the best locks in Australian rugby, picking him in the Rugby Union Players Association team of the year earlier this week.

Arnold's numbers stacked up this year. He was second for the most lineout wins in Super Rugby this year, played more minutes than he has in any other season, scored more tries and made the second most tackles at the Brumbies.

It was an impressive effort from Arnold and Brumbies coach Dan McKellar hopes his form is rewarded with a gold jersey in the coming weeks.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has not picked Arnold in five Tests so far this year, opting for Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Izack Rodda and Lukhan Tui as his second-rowers.

"He'd be in my Wallabies team, but that's not my job. I think his form and the improvements in his game, in my eyes, he deserves selection. Hopefully he gets a crack in Brisbane against South Africa," McKellar said.

"I thought Rory's last couple of months he was back to his best. He had an excellent season, particularly at the back end.

"He played 80 minutes against the Chiefs in New Zealand this year. Even 12 months ago, you probably wouldn't have thought that. He's just a more senior player in the group now, comfortable with his position in the team.

"He led from the front and he leads through his actions. His physicality and his aggression, he plays on the edge.

"What you've got to remember with Rory is that he's only been a professional player since 2015. It takes time. He hasn't been in programs since he was 16 or 17 years old.

"I think the challenge for Rory is next year is to start how he finished this year."

A group of young guns won the Brumbies major awards at the last event of their Super Rugby season. Allan Alaalatoa was named best forward for an ultra-consistent season. Newly-minted Wallaby Tom Banks was the best back and won the supporters' choice award, while Lachlan McCaffrey was the community player.

Hooker Folau Faingaa won the Shawn Mackay most outstanding young talent award after being thrown in the Super Rugby deep end when Josh Mann-Rea's hamstring snapped off the bone in March, ending his season after a handful of games.

Georgia O'Neill won the Helen Taylor Super W player of the year gong after the inaugural women's 15-a-side season and Michaela Leonard was the Super W rookie of the year.

Arnold, Banks and Faingaa will play for the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship opener on Saturday as the trio push for game time in the Wallabies next Test next weekend.

BRETT ROBINSON AWARDS NIGHT

Brett Robinson player’s player: Rory Arnold
Helen Taylor Super W player of the year: Georgia O'Neill
Shawn MacKay most outstanding young talent: Folau Faingaa
Super W rookie of the year: Michaela Leonard
Best forward: Allan Alaalatoa
Best back: Tom Banks
Supporters’ choice award: Tom Banks
Community player: Lachlan McCaffrey
Garry Quinlivan service to rugby: Craig Leseberg