Rob Valetini determined to help Brumbies win 14 straight against NSW Waratahs

The Waratahs say there is only one way to shut down Rob Valetini in his long-awaited comeback match, as Australia’s best rugby player vows to ‘keep the streak going’ over the Tahs.

HE hasn’t played a game in four months, or specifically 112 days, but Australia’s best rugby player has only number on his mind when he finally returns against NSW Waratahs: 14.

Rob Valetini, the reigning John Eales medallist and star Brumbies backrower, is determined

“keep the streak going” as the Canberrans look to continue their domination of the Tahs.

The Brumbies have won 13 straight games against their bitter rivals, a statistic they’ve proudly gloated about on social media this week, and Valetini is desperate not to be part of the team that finally loses to NSW.

“A lot of those boys, we get along with them, when we make the Wallabies squad there’s always a bit of banter going on, but this still means a lot,” Valetini said.

Brumbies backrower Rob Valetini makes his comeback from injury against the Waratahs. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“You know, 13 games, they’ll probably use it as a motivating factor for sure, to try and get one up on us.

“And for us it’s to keep that streak going, just not to be the team that loses the streak against the Tahs. So we can use that as a motivating factor for this week.”

The Tahs have seen the video posted by the Brumbies social media team this week and it’s fired them up for the match at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

But to defeat the Brumbies, one of their biggest tasks will be to shut down the 117kg Valetini, who has been itching to get back on the field after injuring his hamstring in the final drill of the last day of Brumbies pre-season training.

“I’ve been completely focused on my rehab schedule, that was pretty important, I usually don’t enjoy rehab but I enjoyed this one because I was able to find motivation in it, just to get better and come back,” Valetini said.

Rob Valetini is arguably Australia’s best rugby player. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia

“This will be my first game in four months, since November (for the Wallabies against Ireland). So in my head, I’m just going to go out there and try to do my job for the team, just play rugby and not try to do anything big, just do my job well and try to be clinical and help the team, because I think the team has been playing some awesome footy.”

The Brumbies have pulled off sensational away wins in Fiji against the Drua and in Auckland against the Blues this year.

“I knew that the boys would pull through over in New Zealand and in Fiji as well,” Valetini said.

“We have a lot of boys that really aren’t in the media. A lot of the boys here are just bum up, head down and work hard here.

“Through pre-season, training was pretty hard. Our first session back, the boys were just at a different level from last year.

Valetini is determined to hand the Waratahs more pain. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

“So I wasn’t completely surprised. I know we have that in. We’re a behind the scenes team and we work extremely hard and I think we’re good at the basic stuff as well.”

Tahs coach Dan McKellar, who knows Valetini well from his time coaching the Brumbies, says there is only one way to shut him down.

“Don’t let him get wound up, take away his time and space,” McKellar said.

“He’s obviously a dominant carrier for them and has been for a long time. He works hard in D (defence).

“He’s a very good player, big Bobby, and it’s nice to see him back to full fitness.”

Valetini’s one-on-one battle against NSW No.8 Langi Gleeson will not only be crucial in this match, but fascinating as the battle for Wallabies spots heats up with the British & Irish Lions series approaches.

Langi Gleeson will be tasked with shutting down Veletini. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Gleeson was disinvited from a Wallabies camp in January for signing with a French club, but has since been one of the dominant Australian players in Super Rugby.

He will be looking to make a statement against Valetini, who will be one of the first picked for Australia for that Lions series.

“Langi has always been a powerful player, he’s another one of their threats,” Valetini said.

“You look at their forward pack and there’s a lot there to handle. So if we can try and stop him, with his runs, I think we’ll go well.

“But when Langi’s on his game, and the other boys are on their game, they’re quite a hard team to stop.”

Originally published as Rob Valetini determined to help Brumbies win 14 straight against NSW Waratahs