Latest news with #Valetini
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Schmidt says injured Wallabies trio to be fit for Lions series
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox MELBOURNE - Australia loose forward Rob Valetini, lock Will Skelton and scrumhalf Jake Gordon will miss Sunday's test against Fiji through injury but should be fit to face the British & Irish Lions, coach Joe Schmidt said. Valetini and Skelton have been nursing calf injuries, while Gordon is recovering from a hamstring strain, Australian media reported. Schmidt declined to confirm the nature of the injuries on Friday but said Valetini and Skelton had trained away from the main group in the lead-up to the Fiji test in Newcastle. Valetini, who was starting blindside flanker against Ireland in the Wallabies' last test in November, has been replaced by Langi Gleeson, while lock Jeremy Williams will partner Nick Frost in the second row. Valetini and Skelton's absence robs the Wallabies of experience and power against Mick Byrne-coached Fiji, who shocked them 22-15 at the World Cup in France and are their last warm-up before the first Lions test in Brisbane on July 19. "I'd be very confident all three of those guys will be ready to train at the start of the week for that first lead-in to the British and Irish Lions first test," Schmidt told a press conference in Newcastle. "But for this week, it was probably a week too soon." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Asia Indonesian rescuers widen search for missing after ferry sinks Gordon was Schmidt's preferred scrumhalf last season but Tate McDermott will wear the number nine jersey, with 35-year-old Nic White backing up from the bench. Noah Lolesio has been retained at flyhalf. "Jake trained with the side today, so he's very close to being able to (play)," said Schmidt. COHESION The Wallabies' season-opening test sees number eight Harry Wilson retained as captain but the appointment may not hold for the Lions series, Schmidt said. With hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa released from the squad, Dave Porecki starts in the number two jersey in his first test since the 2023 World Cup. He lines up next to veteran props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa. Rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii and Len Ikitau resume their midfield partnership, with Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter the starting wingers, and Tom Wright at fullback. Schmidt was cagey about whether his match-day squad was a preview of his preferred team for the Lions but suggested whoever he picked would face a huge challenge against Andy Farrell's men. The Lions opened their Australia tour by racking up more than 50 points in tour match victories over the Western Force and Queensland Reds. "They've been pretty impressive. I think two games in the first 20 minutes they haven't really started that well," said Schmidt. "But even saying that ... they've actually missed a few opportunities. "I think the more cohesion they develop, the more they'll be dangerous in finishing some of those opportunities. "I think (their players) are really competing for spots ... They've got incredible strength and depth." Team: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Harry Potter, 13-Joseph Suaalii, 12-Len Ikitau, 11-Max Jorgensen, 10-Noah Lolesio, 9-Tate McDermott, 8-Harry Wilson (capt), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Langi Gleeson, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-David Porecki, 1-James Slipper. Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Zane Nonggorr, 19-Tom Hooper, 20-Carlo Tizzano, 21-Nic White, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Filipo Daugunu REUTERS
The 42
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Skelton and Valetini missing as Schmidt shows Wallabies' hand
THE WALLABIES WILL be without heavyweight forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini for Sunday's clash with Fiji, their only game before taking on the British and Irish Lions in the three-Test series. La Rochelle lock Skelton and Brumbies back row Valetini are carrying injuries that have made them doubts for the opening meeting with the Lions on 19 July, while scrum-half Jake Gordon also misses out this weekend. Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt hasn't sprung any big selection surprises with his team for this weekend's meeting with Fiji in Newcastle, a couple of hours north of Sydney. Number eight Harry Wilson continues in the captaincy role he took on last year, while Noah Lolesio retains the number 10 shirt. Flanker Langi Gleeson – who will join Montpellier in France later this year – starts against Fiji in Valetini's absence. There had been speculation in Australia that Gleeson and others could be overlooked by Schmidt due to their future moves abroad, but he is rewarded for his superb season for the Waratahs. Advertisement 32-year-old Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki, who previously played for London Irish, comes into the starting XV from the cold, having last played for the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup. Reds scrum-half Tate McDermott takes the number nine shirt as regular starter Gordon misses out through injury. Schmidt hopes to have Gordon back in time for the first Lions Test. Superstar rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will continue in the Wallabies' number 13 jersey, despite playing most of his rugby at fullback for the Waratahs in Super Rugby this year. His Waratahs team-mate, 20-year-old wing Max Jorgensen, makes his return from an ankle injury for this clash with the Fijians, while Western Force flyer Harry Potter is on the other wing as Tom Wright continues at fullback. Schmidt has opted to use Ulster-bound loosehead Angus Bell off the bench as the experienced James Slipper starts in the front row. Also included among the replacements are Western Force halfbacks Nic White and Ben Donaldson, who played against the Lions last week. Reds wing/centre and Fiji native Filipo Daugunu, who wasn't with the Wallabies in Europe last autumn, comes into the number 23 shirt. Wallabies (v Fiji): 15. Tom Wright 14. Harry Potter 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 12. Len Ikitau 11. Max Jorgensen 10. Noah Lolesio 9. Tate McDermott 1. James Slipper 2. David Porecki 3. Allan Alaalatoa 4. Nick Frost 5. Jeremy Williams 6. Langi Gleeson 7. Fraser McReight 8. Harry Wilson (captain) Replacements: 16. Billy Pollard 17. Angus Bell 18. Zane Nonggorr 19. Tom Hooper 20. Carlo Tizzano 21. Nic White 22. Ben Donaldson 23. Filipo Daugunu
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rugby-Wallabies Valetini, Skelton omitted from Fiji test
MELBOURNE, - Australia loose forward Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton were omitted from the match-day squad for Sunday's one-off Fiji test in a blow to the Wallabies' preparations for the British & Irish Lions series. Rugby-Wallabies Valetini, Skelton omitted from Fiji test The pair have been struggling with injuries, local media have reported, leaving coach Joe Schmidt short of experience and power for the match in Newcastle, the Wallabies' only warmup for the Lions series starting in Brisbane on July 19. Valetini, who was starting blindside flanker against Ireland in the Wallabies' last test in November, has been replaced by Langi Gleeson, while lock Jeremy Williams will partner Nick Frost in the second row in the team released on Friday. The Wallabies' season-opening test sees Joseph Suaalii resume his midfield partnership with Len Ikitau, with Tom Wright playing fullback. Noah Lolesio has been retained as flyhalf but Tate McDermott will be starting scrumhalf in place of Jake Gordon, who has also been under an injury cloud, according to reports. Rugby Australia made no mention of any injuries to players in its team release, with Schmidt set to appear at a press conference later on Friday. Team: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Harry Potter, 13-Joseph Suaalii, 12-Len Ikitau, 11-Max Jorgensen, 10-Noah Lolesio, 9-Tate McDermott, 8-Harry Wilson , 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Langi Gleeson, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-David Porecki, 1-James Slipper. Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Zane Nonggorr, 19-Tom Hooper, 20-Carlo Tizzano, 21-Nic White, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Filipo Daugunu This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Age
04-06-2025
- General
- The Age
From Canberra to the Cote d'Azur? Wallabies star Valetini eyes French sojourn
'Their [French] rugby is won through the forwards, and there are a lot of big boys as well. But also, big names you can test yourself against – they have a lot of internationals playing in France. And also the fans, the games are pretty much sold out and the fans get into it, which would be different.' Valetini was also inspired by seeing fellow Wallabies breakaway Pete Samu's recent Champions Cup celebrations with Bordeaux, ahead of his return to the Waratahs next season. Valetini has been in touch with Samu to ask him about life in France and has also been using Duolingo to learn basic French. 'Seeing Bordeaux win and seeing the celebrations, it was just very big and I guess something that would be pretty cool to experience,' he said. Valetini is focused on the finals campaign with the Brumbies and expects to make a decision on a sabbatical by the end of the month. If he moves to France next season, Super Rugby will be without some of its marquee names, including Bell, Ikitau and Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio, who is leaving to play in Japan in 2026. Meanwhile, Valetini's Brumbies teammate, Wallabies hooker Billy Pollard has committed to Rugby Australia, signing on until the end of 2027. Pollard is the form Australian hooker in Super Rugby and the 23-year-old said the prospect of playing in a home World Cup and staying at the Brumbies was too good to turn down. 'This is the best place for me to develop at the Brumbies and hopefully with Rugby Australia,' Pollard said. Loading 'It never really enticed me too much to go overseas. There's so many amazing opportunities that are coming up in Australian rugby and it's a really exciting time. So yeah, for me it just felt like it was the right move.' The 23-year-old was born two months after the Wallabies sealed their last series victory over the Lions in 2001, but has been speaking to fellow front-rower James Slipper at the Brumbies about what to expect when the sea of red finally arrives in Australia next month. 'A lot of boys have described it, it's just something that's absolutely huge,' Pollard said. 'Unless you're someone like Slips that's lucky enough to be around it twice, it's a once in a generation type of thing.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Sydney Morning Herald
From Canberra to the Cote d'Azur? Wallabies star Valetini eyes French sojourn
'Their [French] rugby is won through the forwards, and there are a lot of big boys as well. But also, big names you can test yourself against – they have a lot of internationals playing in France. And also the fans, the games are pretty much sold out and the fans get into it, which would be different.' Valetini was also inspired by seeing fellow Wallabies breakaway Pete Samu's recent Champions Cup celebrations with Bordeaux, ahead of his return to the Waratahs next season. Valetini has been in touch with Samu to ask him about life in France and has also been using Duolingo to learn basic French. 'Seeing Bordeaux win and seeing the celebrations, it was just very big and I guess something that would be pretty cool to experience,' he said. Valetini is focused on the finals campaign with the Brumbies and expects to make a decision on a sabbatical by the end of the month. If he moves to France next season, Super Rugby will be without some of its marquee names, including Bell, Ikitau and Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio, who is leaving to play in Japan in 2026. Meanwhile, Valetini's Brumbies teammate, Wallabies hooker Billy Pollard has committed to Rugby Australia, signing on until the end of 2027. Pollard is the form Australian hooker in Super Rugby and the 23-year-old said the prospect of playing in a home World Cup and staying at the Brumbies was too good to turn down. 'This is the best place for me to develop at the Brumbies and hopefully with Rugby Australia,' Pollard said. Loading 'It never really enticed me too much to go overseas. There's so many amazing opportunities that are coming up in Australian rugby and it's a really exciting time. So yeah, for me it just felt like it was the right move.' The 23-year-old was born two months after the Wallabies sealed their last series victory over the Lions in 2001, but has been speaking to fellow front-rower James Slipper at the Brumbies about what to expect when the sea of red finally arrives in Australia next month. 'A lot of boys have described it, it's just something that's absolutely huge,' Pollard said. 'Unless you're someone like Slips that's lucky enough to be around it twice, it's a once in a generation type of thing.
