‘Prove yourself’: Refreshed Wallabies brace for Spring Tour before Lions

Backrower Rob Valetini is looking forward to the challenges that await the Wallabies during their upcoming Spring Tour, as the men gold continue to focus on their development and growth ahead of next year’s British and Lions Series.

On Wednesday evening at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse, Valetini became just the third player to win back-to-back John Eales Medals. Valetini joins an exclusive club with only Michael Hooper and Israel Folau, with the awards recognising the Wallabies’ Player of the Year.

Valetini has started all nine Tests under coach Joe Schmidt so far in 2024, which included one appearance in the No. 8 jumper before shifting to blindside flanker. The 26-year-old has been at his devastating best once again, even if the results haven’t quite been there for the team.

Back in July, the Wallabies started their new era under coach Schmidt with Valetini at the back of the scrum against Warren Gatland’s Wales. Australia got the job done in both Tests against the Welsh before completing a 3-0 run in the July Series against a valiant Georgian side.

But, wins have proved hard to come by since with the men in gold losing five of their six Tests in The Rugby Championship. They’ll go into most of their Spring Tour Tests as underdogs, but that also presents an exciting opportunity for the Wallabies to “prove” themselves.

“The boys are feeling refreshed. We’ve had a couple of weeks off but training in our states. I think the boys will be keen to get over there,” Valetini told reporters at the Rugby Australia Awards on Wednesday.

“A lot of the boys haven’t been over there to play rugby and it’s an experience to play (in front of) such big crowds and great atmospheres.

“These are the games that you want to be in, the games over there against the European teams and prove yourself to the world pretty much.”

The Wallabies fly out to Europe on Thursday before facing England at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham in just over one week. They’ll also take on Wales, Scotland and Ireland as they continue to ramp up preparations for the almighty boss fight that awaits.

As rugby fans around the world will agree, there’s something incredibly special about the British and Irish Lions. The very best from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland – the four teams the Wallabies will face in the coming weeks – come together in one representative side.

Australia, New Zealand and South Africa rotate the strike as they have the opportunity to play the Lions once every 12 years, with the touring team in red facing one of those southern hemisphere opponents every four years.

It’s unique.

The Wallabies launched their jersey for the Lions Series earlier this week in Sydney, and it’s no secret that this Spring Tour will add to the build-up and the drama for next year’s tour. Many have written the Wallabies off already, but Valetini is keeping the faith.

“It’s a long way, oh, not really a long way away but as a group, we’re just trying to take it step by step and step.,” Valetini said.

“If we can keep building blocks on top of each other and come away with good performances and good wins, I think this tour is going to be prepping us well for next year. We’ll be versing most of the boys there.

“We always go into the mindset that we’re going to win.

“It’s exciting as well that the British and Irish Lions are coming next year as well. You only get to verse them probably once in your career. For myself, I’m keen to put my hand up there and then perform well next year hopefully.”