Valetini returns as Wallabies gear up for crucial second Lions Test
British and Irish Lions
, with powerhouse back-rower
Rob Valetini
named in the starting lineup after recovering from a calf injury. The must-win clash will take place Saturday night at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground
, with 90,000 fans expected to fill the stands.
Valetini, who has been crowned Australia's best player for the past two years, replaces Nick Champion De Crespigny, who impressed on debut in Brisbane but makes way for the returning star. While Valetini completed a full training block, head coach
Joe Schmidt
admitted he's unlikely to go the full 80 minutes.
— wallabies (@wallabies)
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"He tends to play full games for us, but I doubt whether that's going to be the case,' said Schmidt. "He's incredibly resilient, so we'll monitor how he's going."
The
Wallabies
, beaten 27–19 in the opening Test, have also welcomed back hooker
David Porecki
and lock Will Skelton from injury, adding much-needed size and experience to a pack that was overpowered in Brisbane.
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— wallabies (@wallabies)
Despite some calls for change in the backline, Schmidt has stuck with the same combination, keeping Jake Gordon and Tom Lynagh as his half-backs, resisting pressure to pair Tate McDermott with Lynagh.
With wet conditions expected, Schmidt has opted for a 6-2 bench split, stacking forwards in anticipation of a physically demanding contest. Jeremy Williams and Billy Pollard are among the replacements, while De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Tom Hooper, and Andrew Kellaway drop out of the 23-man squad.
— wallabies (@wallabies)
Schmidt emphasized the need to build belief: "We've got a group of players who haven't won too much in recent times. Confidence is incremental — we have to stack winning moments to get a result."
The Wallabies will need to rise to the occasion and level the series in Melbourne, or the Lions will seal a famous series win on Australian soil.
Australia (15-1):
Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Will Skelton, Nick Frost; Allan Alaalatoa, David Porecki, James Slipper
Replacements:
Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson
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