Wallabies true believers with Lions series on the line

Perth Now

21-07-2025

Steely Wallabies veteran James Slipper is urging his battered troops to block out the "noise" as they look to stop the Lions juggernaut in their do-or-die second Test in Melbourne.
The series is on the line at the MCG on Saturday night with Slipper offering a unique perspective in the current Australian line-up as the only player to have taken part in two series.
Slipper played in the 2013 Wallabies, who narrowly lost the first match and clawed their way to a game two win before the Lions triumphed in the deciding Test.
Conceding disappointment in a 27-19 loss in the opening match in Brisbane, Slipper said there was belief that the Australians could level the series.
He said the team needed to put the defeat aside and look to build on their performance.
"You've just got to kind of bank what's happened in the past in that game one ... we've got to not necessarily start again, but we've got to build on what we've started and making sure that under pressure we deliver that in the 80 minutes on the weekend," Slipper said.
"There's a feeling of belief in the group that we were able to fight back into that game after being a fair stack down at the start of the game.
"We've taken a lot of confidence and belief from what we can do."
The Australians were heavily criticised by the UK media for their lacklustre showing and by England's former World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward, who said that captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the game rather than chase another try showed a "losing mentality".
Slipper described the comments as "noise".
"I wouldn't say it was a losing mentality, I just thought we'll probably put a full stop on that game and crack on with game two," the 36-year-old prop said.
"We're trying to be very internal and making sure our preparation's the best it can be.
"We know there's going to be noise, it's a big event, so for us, we just want to make sure we do our job and perform."
The Wallabies will be boosted by the return from injury of star flanker Rob Valetini and giant lock Will Skelton, with the pair adding much-needed starch to their pack.
Born and bred Victorian Valetini was excited to overcome a calf injury in time to play on home turf, where he would regularly watch his AFL team St Kilda play.
"I had a good week last week with training and came through alright, so I'll be available for selection," said Valetini, a two-time John Eales Medallist.
"I thought I would have been a shoo-in for the first Test, but it was a smart idea to have a week off and get through some more training, a bit more loading through the calf.
"I did a session Saturday morning and did a pretty tough session, so it feels good to go.
"I'm Melbourne born and bred, I've got all my family here so I would love to run out there and play in front of them, that would be awesome."
The Lions back row of Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan helped their team out-muscle the Wallabies early at Suncorp Stadium as they raced to a commanding 24-5 lead before the hosts fought back.
"I was watching from the sidelines and I thought all three were pretty involved," Valetini said of the Lions trio.
"They are big boys and they did their jobs well."
With a 12-year gap between Lions series, Valetini wanted to make the most of his opportunity.
"I'll be close to 40 by the time the next one comes along, there's definitely a lot of hunger just to get out there."