Rob Valetini’s take on Lions’ ‘big’ backrow from first Wallabies Test

Wallabies enforcer Rob Valetini was “eager to get on the field” last weekend against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane, with all three starting backrowers for the tourists standing out as they claimed a 27-19 win to take a one-nil lead in the series.

Valetini missed the Wallabies’ season-opener against the Flying Fijians in Newcastle earlier this month with a calf injury, and it would later rule the two-time reigning John Eales Medallist out of the first Test against the Lions at Suncorp Stadium.

With Langi Gleeson also missing last weekend’s highly anticipated clash, Western Force flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny was named to debut on one of the biggest stages that rugby union has to offer.

Boan Venter recalls his Test debut and when he got the Bok call-up

Boan Venter recalls his Test debut and when he got the Bok call-up

Coach Andy Farrell named Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne, England’s Tom Curry, and another Irishman in Jack Conan as the three starting loose forwards for the Lions. Beirne was named Player of the Match, while Curry’s performance also captured headlines throughout the rugby world.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt confirmed post-game that Valetini and lock Will Skelton will both be available for the second Test. That will likely see Valetini come up against the world-class Lions backrow who made their mark on Saturday.

“I was watching from the sidelines there and yeah, I thought all three were pretty involved,” Valetini told reporters in Melbourne.

“Big boys and I think they did their jobs well.

“[I was] eager to get on the field but couldn’t.

“I think that’s the challenge for us this week, knowing what’s coming and [we’ll] try to prepare for that.”

Valetini has twice been recognised as the Wallabies’ best player, with the backrower standing out time and time again at Test level. Even when results haven’t gone the Wallabies’ way, Valetini has still found a way to make some noise against world-renowned opposition.

The Melburnian has played more than 50 Tests, which included 13 starts under Joe Schmidt in 2024. Valetini started last year’s international campaign at the back of the scrum before shifting to blindside flanker nine Tests, breaking that streak against Wales in Cardiff.

With the Lions winning the physical battle early on against the Wallabies last time out, Valetini’s inclusion would come as a significant boost for the Wallabies in a physical sense. As James Slipper mentioned, Valetini’s “size definitely helps.”

And ‘Bobby V’ might not be the only Wallaby back in the mix after a spell on the sidelines.

“Bobby’s a really good player mate. He gives a lot of boys around him a lot of confidence, just the way he goes about his business,” Slipper explained.

“He won’t be the only one that we’re looking forward to seeing back out there this week and we’ve got a pretty full, fit squad to pick from this weekend so we’re looking forward to that.”