Wallabies star Rob Valetini reflects on Eddie Jones’ influence

Rob Valetini was a trusted member of Eddie Jones’ Wallabies a few years ago, named in the run-on side for every Test during the veteran coach’s second stint with the national team, including four appearances at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The Wallabies bowed out of the showpiece event before the quarter-finals for the first time, with defeats to Fiji and Wales seeing them finish third in the group. Jones left Aussie rugby soon after, taking up the head coaching role with Japan.

A lot has changed between then and now for the Wallabies, with Joe Schmidt taking over as head coach in early 2024. Schmidt was in charge for 31 Tests but has just finished in the position, with Les Kiss set for a debut Test in the top job this weekend.

Kiss’ Wallabies are set to come up against Jones’ Brave Blossoms in Osaka, before the teams face off again the following weekend in Townsville. These Tests will see some of the Wallabies who played under Jones, and others who didn’t, play opposite their former coach.

This reunion has been a talking point at press conferences this week, with Valetini asked about Jones a couple of times on Tuesday. But ‘Bobby V’ praised the former Wallabies boss, opening up on the belief and trust shown by the veteran coach during his time back in Australian rugby.

“He believed in me and as a player, that’s all I ever wanted is [for] a coach to believe in me and I thought he gave me that belief,” Valetini told reporters.

“It’s the past now and it would be interesting to go up against him and see what game plan he’s implemented with them.”

It’s been almost 12 months to the day since the Wallabies successfully went back-to-back with wins in the Test arena. The Aussies stunned the British & Irish Lions in Sydney, before completing a remarkable comeback to stun the Springboks in Johannesburg.

The Wallabies defeated Los Pumas in Townsville about one month later, and recorded one more win that season, which was against Japan in Tokyo. Nick Champion de Crespigny captained a side that claimed a hard-fought 19-15 win on October 25.

Warner Dearns led the Brave Blossoms to a clinical win over Italy to start the July internationals, before tough defeats to Ireland and France. The Wallabies also finished with a 1-2 record to start the Nations Championship, beating the Italians and losing to those other two sides as well.

“You’re playing for the Wallabies and you always want to win your game,” Valetini said.

“Obviously we want to try to get one up against Japan this week and Eddie’s just been coaching the team.

“Most importantly we just want to win this game this week. Nothing against Eddie or anything, just do it for the jersey.”