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Rugby Australia capture signature of promising young loose forward


Rob Valentini. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
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Emerging backrower Rob Valetini has inked a new two-year extension to re-sign with Rugby Australia and the Brumbies until the end of 2021.

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The 20-year old has been on the national radar since he burst onto the scene in 2016 when he became just the second Australian forward to sign a full Super Rugby contract while still at school.

The Brumbies star has enjoyed a bright start to the 2019 Super Rugby season after earning selection on the 2018 spring tour as a development player.

Rob Valetini said: “I am very pleased to have extended my contract at the Brumbies for a further two seasons.

“It was an easy decision for me in the end as I have loved every minute of my time here at the club. I feel like I am learning every day off a fantastic group of players and our coaching staff.

“The World Cup is definitely a goal for me and I would love to be part of that group in Japan after getting a small taste last year but right now I’m just trying to build some momentum and play some good footy for the Brumbies.”

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: “This guy is going to be a good player. He’s young, assertive in his game and he is a genuine footballer.

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“He’s had a solid start to the Super Rugby season and he’s got a clear plan as to what he should build on to become a Wallaby – it’s going to be good viewing watching his journey, I am sure of that.”

Valetini will start at blindside flanker for the Brumbies in Friday’s clash with the Waratahs at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

Dan McKellar pre-match press conference vs Waratahs:

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Phantom 35 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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