Rob Valetini says Brumbies ready to create Aussie history in Super Rugby semi-finals
“We’re not really satisfied with making the semi-finals.” ACT Brumbies sound warning to New Zealand’s Blues ahead of their Super Rugby semi-final.
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Not only do the Brumbies plan to be the first Australian team to win a Super Rugby playoff game in New Zealand, they want to do it twice in a row to take out the title.
The Canberra side face the daunting Blues at Eden Park on Friday night in the first semi-final, and star backrower Rob Valetini makes no apologies about their goal in 2024.
“We’ve been here the past two years and we’re not really satisfied with making the semi-finals, we want to go one step further, make that grand final and take it out,” Valetini said.
“That’s any team’s motivation and goal at the start of the year, and something we’ve been working hard on all season, to try to get to this point.”
The Brumbies were knocked out in the semis by Kiwi teams the Chiefs and Blues in the past two seasons. They were defeated 19-6 in Hamilton last year, and 20-19 at Eden Park in 2022.
Yet again, they’re the last remaining Australian team in contention for the title, after the Reds and Rebels were eliminated in the quarter-finals last week, and once again face up to the task of winning a playoff game in New Zealand when all other Aussie teams have fallen short.
“I don’t think too many boys have read into that or brought it up, if anything it will inspire us to try to be the first team to do it from Australia,” Valetini said.
The Hurricanes host the Chiefs on Saturday afternoon (2.35pm) in the second semi-final.
The Brumbies could host the final if they and the Chiefs win, because ACT finished higher on the ladder after the regular season, but the most likely scenario if they win this weekend is to travel to Wellington to take on the table-topping Hurricanes.
But to do so, they’ll need to defeat a Blues outfit undefeated at home this season and who smashed the Brumbies 46-7 at Eden Park in April.
“They remind me of the French international team, as soon as they get into the A zone, or the opposition half, they go to the forwards,” Valetini said.
“It’s like the French when they play, they go for the pick-and-go. It’s been working for the Blues, they’ve got a big pack and it’s a strong area for them.
“We know we’re going to have to stop that and find ways to turn the ball over and chop their big boys.
“It will be tough, the Blues have a good record at home this year, but I think our boys are up to it.
“A lot of boys have experienced the last two years, that experience will be crucial going into this week knowing what’s coming, we’ll be better off.
“We know the Blues are a big pack, they’ve got a big team, we’ve tailored our prep in training for that and players who aren’t playing this week really stepped up in training and put on some good pictures for us, picture’s we’ll see this weekend.
“If we can match up against their pack in the set piece and around the park, it will put us in a pretty good position.”
Valetini will be a key figure against the star-studded Blues backrow featuring All Blacks Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu.
“It’s finals footy, you lose and you’re out,” Valetini said.
“I’m just trying to get one more week with the boys, try to put my best foot forward to help the team and leave everything on the park, empty the tank.
“I want to come off the field knowing I’ve given everything I could.”
Having claimed the John Eales medal as the Wallabies’ best player in 2023, Valetini has continued his strong form this year, and says spending extra time at his parents’ Oakleigh home in Melbourne has been the secret.
“My family has been big in that area, I’ve been able to get home a lot more this year than previous years, just with the bye week and having games in Melbourne,” he said.
“I’ve been able to stay a bit longer, it’s a good refresher for me, but also good inspiration. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am.
“When things get tough, especially with rugby where you’re playing all year round and it can become draining, if I feel flat or uninspired, that’s when my family plays a big part in inspiring me.”
Super Rugby semi-final
Blues v Brumbies, Eden Park, Auckland
Friday, 5.30pm
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Stephen Perofeta.
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, James Thompson, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright.
Reserves: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Ollie Sapsford.
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Originally published as Rob Valetini says Brumbies ready to create Aussie history in Super Rugby semi-finals
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