Ex-Wallaby's 'concerns' for shock starter in series opener
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Courier-Mail
7 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Wallabies: Rob Valetini fit for second Test against Lions
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News. Wallabies star Rob Valetini has declared himself 'good to go' for Australia's do-or-die clash with the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night at the MCG and has backed the decision not to play him in his team's first Test loss in Brisbane. The presence of the intimidating flanker was sorely missed by the Wallabies in the Lions' 27-19 weekend win at Suncorp Stadium. Missing the game hurt, Valetini thought he was a 'shoo-in' to overcome a calf injury and be fit for the match. 'But it was a smart idea just to have a week off and get through some more training and a bit of more loading through the calf,' Valetini said in Melbourne. 'I did a session Saturday morning. I did a pretty tough session there, so (the calf) feels good to go. 'I had to put all my focus through my recovery and getting through all my exercise and trying to get the body right for the next two Tests.' Rob Valetini is ready to return to Australia's forward pack on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions. Picture:However the third Test on Saturday week in Sydney will mean nothing if the Lions clinch the three-game series with a win at the MCG. 'I was eager to get on the field (in Brisbane) but couldn't, and that's the challenge for us this week, knowing what's coming and trying to prepare for that,' said Melbourne-born Valetini, who hopes to deliver a strong performance in front of family and friends. Not that he's feeling any extra pressure to do so despite the series being on the line for the Wallabies. 'I feel like it's just another game of rugby and something I've been playing ever since I was young,' Valetini said. 'I just try to go out there and just do my job, whether that's carrying (the ball) or doing the tackling. I'm just trying to do my bit for the team, and hopefully I can help the other boys as well.' Veteran Wallabies prop James Slipper welcomed the likely return of Valetini, a two-time John Eales Medal winner. 'His size definitely helps – he's a really good player,' Slipper said of the 26-year-old ACT Brumbies back-rower. 'He gives a lot of boys around him a lot of confidence just the way he goes about his business.' Wallabies prop James Slipper has now played in two series against the British and Irish Lions. Picture: David Gray / AFP) Slipper suggested the Wallabies pack would also be boosted by the expected return of towering lock Will Skelton, who also missed the first Test with a calf problem. 'He (Valetini) won't be the only one that we'll be looking forward to seeing back out there this week. We've got a pretty full fit squad to pick from this weekend,' Slipper said. Slipper has now played in two series against the Lions after also being part of the Wallabies squad that lost 2-1 in 2013 when Australia won the second Test of the series – also in Melbourne – to ensure a decider a week later. 'The belief is there in the group. It's about diving into that and making sure we prepare really well,' he said. Originally published as Rob Valetini set to return from calf injury to play for Wallabies in do-or-die battle with British and Irish Lions
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Tongan Thor ready if it's au revoir to Australia
Taniela Tupou says he's "at peace" if the First Nations and Pasifika XV match against the British and Irish Lions is the last in Australia for the powerhouse prop. "Tongan Thor" was left out of the Wallabies squad for their opening Test loss against the tourists in Brisbane while his inclusion in the historic selection that will play at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night likely rules him out of the second Test at the MCG. Captained by Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale and coached by Test great Toutai Kefu, the inaugural First Nations and Pasifika side are looking to cause a boilover against the unbeaten Lions, who have already taken a 1-0 lead over Australia in the Test series. After a disappointing season with the NSW Waratahs, Tupou signed a two-year deal to play in France with the star-studded Racing 92 team putting in jeopardy any future Wallabies involvement beyond the Lions series. Tupou has slipped behind Allan Alaalatoa and Tom Robertson in the tighthead stocks and while he will rejoin the Wallabies training squad ahead of remaining two Tests, Tuesday's match might be his last on home soil. "Look, I'm here having fun, enjoying it, whatever happens, happens," Tupou said of his Test future. "So if I'm back, I'm back and if not, I'm living life, I'm enjoying it. "Just play my footy tomorrow and then see what happens after that ... hopefully I will play again, if not, then I'm at peace with it." The 29-year-old, who was described as having potential to be the best tighthead in the world, was asked how he'd like to be remembered if his 58-Test career was over. "They'll remember me how they want to remember me," he said. Hooker Paenga-Amosa said he wanted to enjoy "one last ride" with his former Queensland teammate and good friend and said the playing group, representing First Nations, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, Maori and Samoa, had got a boost by his inclusion. "There's a buzz around having him back, him and Filipo Daugunu back in the camp as well ... it really excited a lot of us, you know, knowing that we get these two heavy hitters." Paenga-Amosa has already faced the Lions twice, with the Western Force and the AUNZ outfit and acknowledged the mammoth task of taking down the tourists, who will be skippered by Owen Farrell. "What I've learned is just to have a crack mate, you know, just everybody come together and let's just give it the best that we can for 80 minutes," he said. "We know that they're not really focused on us, and that's OK ... we just want to show them what we're made of." Taniela Tupou says he's "at peace" if the First Nations and Pasifika XV match against the British and Irish Lions is the last in Australia for the powerhouse prop. "Tongan Thor" was left out of the Wallabies squad for their opening Test loss against the tourists in Brisbane while his inclusion in the historic selection that will play at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night likely rules him out of the second Test at the MCG. Captained by Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale and coached by Test great Toutai Kefu, the inaugural First Nations and Pasifika side are looking to cause a boilover against the unbeaten Lions, who have already taken a 1-0 lead over Australia in the Test series. After a disappointing season with the NSW Waratahs, Tupou signed a two-year deal to play in France with the star-studded Racing 92 team putting in jeopardy any future Wallabies involvement beyond the Lions series. Tupou has slipped behind Allan Alaalatoa and Tom Robertson in the tighthead stocks and while he will rejoin the Wallabies training squad ahead of remaining two Tests, Tuesday's match might be his last on home soil. "Look, I'm here having fun, enjoying it, whatever happens, happens," Tupou said of his Test future. "So if I'm back, I'm back and if not, I'm living life, I'm enjoying it. "Just play my footy tomorrow and then see what happens after that ... hopefully I will play again, if not, then I'm at peace with it." The 29-year-old, who was described as having potential to be the best tighthead in the world, was asked how he'd like to be remembered if his 58-Test career was over. "They'll remember me how they want to remember me," he said. Hooker Paenga-Amosa said he wanted to enjoy "one last ride" with his former Queensland teammate and good friend and said the playing group, representing First Nations, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, Maori and Samoa, had got a boost by his inclusion. "There's a buzz around having him back, him and Filipo Daugunu back in the camp as well ... it really excited a lot of us, you know, knowing that we get these two heavy hitters." Paenga-Amosa has already faced the Lions twice, with the Western Force and the AUNZ outfit and acknowledged the mammoth task of taking down the tourists, who will be skippered by Owen Farrell. "What I've learned is just to have a crack mate, you know, just everybody come together and let's just give it the best that we can for 80 minutes," he said. "We know that they're not really focused on us, and that's OK ... we just want to show them what we're made of." Taniela Tupou says he's "at peace" if the First Nations and Pasifika XV match against the British and Irish Lions is the last in Australia for the powerhouse prop. "Tongan Thor" was left out of the Wallabies squad for their opening Test loss against the tourists in Brisbane while his inclusion in the historic selection that will play at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night likely rules him out of the second Test at the MCG. Captained by Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale and coached by Test great Toutai Kefu, the inaugural First Nations and Pasifika side are looking to cause a boilover against the unbeaten Lions, who have already taken a 1-0 lead over Australia in the Test series. After a disappointing season with the NSW Waratahs, Tupou signed a two-year deal to play in France with the star-studded Racing 92 team putting in jeopardy any future Wallabies involvement beyond the Lions series. Tupou has slipped behind Allan Alaalatoa and Tom Robertson in the tighthead stocks and while he will rejoin the Wallabies training squad ahead of remaining two Tests, Tuesday's match might be his last on home soil. "Look, I'm here having fun, enjoying it, whatever happens, happens," Tupou said of his Test future. "So if I'm back, I'm back and if not, I'm living life, I'm enjoying it. "Just play my footy tomorrow and then see what happens after that ... hopefully I will play again, if not, then I'm at peace with it." The 29-year-old, who was described as having potential to be the best tighthead in the world, was asked how he'd like to be remembered if his 58-Test career was over. "They'll remember me how they want to remember me," he said. Hooker Paenga-Amosa said he wanted to enjoy "one last ride" with his former Queensland teammate and good friend and said the playing group, representing First Nations, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, Maori and Samoa, had got a boost by his inclusion. "There's a buzz around having him back, him and Filipo Daugunu back in the camp as well ... it really excited a lot of us, you know, knowing that we get these two heavy hitters." Paenga-Amosa has already faced the Lions twice, with the Western Force and the AUNZ outfit and acknowledged the mammoth task of taking down the tourists, who will be skippered by Owen Farrell. "What I've learned is just to have a crack mate, you know, just everybody come together and let's just give it the best that we can for 80 minutes," he said. "We know that they're not really focused on us, and that's OK ... we just want to show them what we're made of."
Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
How a Wallabies great forged a global union as Lynagh battle looms
Fresh off his maiden starting appearance in Wallabies colours in defeat to the British and Irish Lions, Tom Lynagh will be bracing for a future in which he is pitted against his brother. The Australian five-eighth's Super Rugby Pacific outfit, the Queensland Reds, have announced a groundbreaking partnership with Italian side Benetton – the club which the 22-year-old's older sibling, Louis Lynagh, currently plays for. Four Reds – Josh Flook, Richie Asiata, John Bryant and Louis Werchon – will leave in July for a three-month secondment, in which they will feature in Europe's United Rugby Championship. Queensland will travel to Treviso for the first time in November 2026 when they will face-off with Benetton, opening the door for the Lynagh boys to square off, after their father – Wallabies great Michael Lynagh – won trophies at each club. 'The connection was made through Michael Lynagh,' Reds general manager of high performance Sam Cordingley said. Loading 'Right from the start, we have felt a genuine will to create opportunities that can benefit two proud clubs and two strong brands.' Cordingley, and Benetton general manager of rugby Antonio Pavanello, launched discussions of the partnership in January as the Australian side took part in their European tour, in which they clashed with Bristol and Ulster. It followed contests with Wales, Tonga and Japanese franchise Saitama Wild Knights in 2024, while they also battled the Lions this month and hope to include another fixture on their Italy tour.
