‘Will be having nightmares’: The ‘alpha’ Wallaby who starred against Ireland

Former Wallabies scrum-half Nick Phipps has labelled Rob Valetini “the alpha of the pack” after the backrower ran riot against Ireland, finishing with a game-high 19 carries and in double digits for tackles completed.

Valetini was named in an All-Star Wallabies loose forwards trio alongside openside flanker Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson at No. 8, while Exeter Chiefs utility Tom Hooper was selected on the bench.

‘Bobby V’ set the tone with a strong carry off the kick-off and continued to wreak havoc throughout the 33-31 Nations Championship loss, stepping up in front of a record crowd at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

Max Jorgensen topped the metres carried charts with 76, but the blindside flanker led the way for the forwards on both teams. Valetini has been recognised for yet another standout performance in gold, with Phipps believing the forward was the home side’s best.

“He was incredible. 19 carries, two line breaks, six tackle busts, he was a physical presence,” Phipps said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.

“I think poor [Sam] Prendergast will be having nightmares about Bobby running down his channel this week but he was running at everyone, he was picking our who he wanted to go at and he was the alpha of the pack and he was awesome.”

The Wallabies were chasing a drought-breaking win over Ireland that dates back to 2018, and in the end, not much separated the sides. Ben Donaldson missed a kick after the bell that would’ve won it for the hosts, but the fly-half pushed the difficult attempt wide.

But the Wallabies had still given their fans plenty to cheer about during an 82 minute battle, which saw them lead by as much as 12 points. Dylan Pietsch, Jock Campbell, Josh Canham and Ryan Lonergan all touched down for a try each during the first half.

The Wallabies’ set-piece was a shining light, even in defeat, with hookers Josh Nasser and Brandon Paenga-Amosa hitting almost all targets. Canham was able to get up and steal some ball as well, with the Aussies winning four lineouts on Ireland’s throw.

That was only Canham’s third appearance in a Wallabies jersey, with the second-rower packing down alongside Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams in a new-look duo. ACT Brumbies lock Lachlan Shaw was named to debut for the national team off the bench.

Coach Joe Schmidt has selected an inexperienced second row quartet in the July Nations Championship squad, with uncapped prospect Miles Amatosero another option, but Canham was right up there as one of the team’s best on Saturday.

“In a week where everyone was probably talking about another second rower that wasn’t there, [Canham] really stood up,” Phipps explained.

“You don’t always want your second rowers always doing the flash stuff… he really went around the field and made his presence felt. Good game for him.”