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The Wallabies youngster set to go 'beast-mode' against France
Skipper Michael Hooper got a taste of what Rob Valetini could bring to the Wallabies when he saw him in beast-mode at a training run three years ago.
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And he’s expecting him to finally deliver with the Brumbies big man named for his first test start in Australia’s opening clash against France at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
Valetini, who stands 193cm and weighs 113kg, will wear the No. 6 jersey with Hooper in his usual position at openside flanker and Harry Wilson anchoring the scrum.
With France loading up on forwards on the bench, signalling their intent to get physical, the Wallabies will need all the muscle they can muster.
Hooper said he’d been “super impressed” by 22-year-old Valetini, who has only played four tests since making his debut in late 2019 due to injury and inconsistent form.
The Melbourne product may have painted a target on his back by last week declaring his belief the Wallabies could be ranked world No. 1 by the end of the year.
“He had a breakout training session in Japan back in 2018 when he came on the spring tour when he just dominated,” Hooper said of the 22-year-old on Tuesday.
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“He put a few big shots on a couple of big characters, some other big bodies.
“He’s a physically impressive rugby player, he has an ideal build for a back rower so it’s all ahead of him.
“The confidence is now really visible in his rugby – he was consistently exceptional all year – so it’s exciting for us.”
Hooper said he’d also seen growth in Queenslander Wilson, who made his debut last year and went on to play six tests.
He said that the 22-year-old was now confident enough in his second year to give his captain “stick”.
All Blacks star Sevu Reece has revealed how close he came to representing Fiji instead of New Zealand ahead of the 2019 World Cup. #AllBlacks #NZLvFIJ https://t.co/9NiJpeNS0K
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 6, 2021
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“Throughout the Trans-Tasman series, in particular, he was playing some really unique football and has an impact on both sides of the ball,” Hooper said of Wilson.
“We’ve got a tight little back row combo.”
Australia have won four of their last five tests against France, although they haven’t played since 2016 when the Wallabies edged the home side 25-23.
Props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa are the only players remaining from that 23.
Hooper said they’d been able to do plenty of homework on their opponents despite a number of stars missing from the travelling party.
“The first part of this camp has been to focus on us and our days were super full at the start but we’ve been able to put a bit of time into the French,” the 29-year-old said.
“We’ve focused on guys that have come out which does paint a bit of a different picture because when you do watch a Six Nations then you’ve got guys who aren’t here.
“It’s been a learning learning experience for all of us and I guess there’s going to be a little bit of unknown.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments