Rob Valetini declares full fitness for Lions MCG showdown as Wallabies look to level series

Australia’s most important player says he is ready to return at the MCG for the must-win second Test, as Lions coach Andy Farrell raises eyebrows with yet another curious selection call.

Barnstorming backrower Rob Valetini has declared himself fit and ready to play on Saturday and salvage the Wallabies’ hopes of winning the series against the British & Irish Lions.

The two-time John Eales medallist was a notable absentee in the opening Test defeat in Brisbane last week due to a calf injury, and Australia missed his line-bending carries as the Lions physically outmuscled the hosts.

But as the second Test approaches in Valetini’s home town of Melbourne, he is desperate to take the field and even the score.

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Rob Valetini has declared he will be fit to face the Lions in his home town of Melbourne. Picture: AFP

“(The Lions come) only every 12 years, I’ll be close to 40 the next time they come, so I won’t be available,” Valetini said.

“(There’s) definitely a lot of hunger just to get out there. Even if it wasn’t a Lions series, I think just the hunger for that jersey, for the Wallabies jersey, missing out the last two games (against the Lions and Fiji) was quite hard for me.

“I’ve played most of the Wallabies games the past couple of years, and I think having to miss the two games, I’ve always wanted was this jersey, so it was quite hard. But the hunger for the jersey is right up there.”

Valetini was able to get through a training session on game-day last Saturday without hassle.

“I had a good week last week with training and it came through all right, so I’ll be available for selection,” he said.

“I thought I would have been a shoo-in for the first Test, but it’s a smart idea just to have a week off and get through some more training. A bit of more loading through the calf and did a session Saturday morning with three other boys and did a pretty tough session there, so it feels good to go.”

Rob Valetini missed the first Test with a calf injury. Picture: Getty Images

If he does play in the second Test, Valetini is set to confront childhood teammate Sione Tuipulotu, who headed offshore after failing to get a professional contract in Australia, and has now become Scotland’s captain and a Lions star.

“I played with Sione pretty much through all my grades growing up, he was always class,” Valetini said.

“He was probably the guy you sort of wanted to be growing up in Melbourne.

“It was always a goal to play for the Rebels as well and I think he did that. And I’ve been a player for Melbourne (Rising), so I was pretty shocked that he had to leave.

“He went through to Japan and then Scotland as well. It’s been a wild journey for him. To be able to come back here and play for the British & Irish Lions and play against us, I think that’s a wonderful thing about rugby, the journey that it can take you on.

“And to be able to play against him, I think would be pretty cool, and obviously I’ll try to get one on him.”

Sione Tuipulotu is a childhood teammate of star Wallaby Rob Valetini, and they could face off in both are selected for the MCG Test. Picture: Getty Images

FARRELL’S SON TO LEAD LIONS

- by Julian Linden

The British & Irish Lions have appointed Owen Farrell, the son of the touring team’s head coach Andy Farrell, as their surprise captain for Tuesday’s match against the First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne.

Despite not being chosen in the original Lions’ squad, Owen Farrell has gone from missing out altogether to captaining the famous side after being added to the touring team when fullback Elliott Daly broke his arm in an earlier warm-up game against Queensland.

Amid accusations of nepotism, the father-son double act set off a firestorm of criticism, with Wallabies legend David Campese writing in a column for Planet Rugby: “This is a weak pick by Daddy.”

But the Lions’ have brushed off the complaints, pointing to Owen Farrell’s long and distinguished service to the Lions over four separate tours dating back 12 years.

“You look at the team and the experience that he has and I think it’s pretty clear and obvious why he’s the skipper,” Lions’ assistant coach Simon Easterby said.

“What he’s brought already to the group since he’s arrived has been brilliant.

“A lot of the younger guys are feeding off him and his wealth of experience, but also his knowledge and his ability to pass that on to others shone through over the last couple of weeks.

“Certainly (there’s) no better man to lead this team against the First Nations team.”

Owen Farrell’s Lions selection raised eyebrows. His appointment as captain will go down like a lead balloon, in particular with Australian judges. Picture: Getty Images

The 33-year-old hasn’t played a Test match for England in over two years and made a late cameo appearance off the bench in the Lions’ win over the combined AUNZ Invitational side in Adelaide last week.

He was named to start at inside centre at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday in what will be his 20th Lions appearance and first as captain.

“It’s an honour,” he said.

“I’m not taking anything for granted at the minute. I’m very excited to be here first and foremost and to lead the boys will be great. I want us to be the best we can possibly be.”

Farrell said he only found he was going to be captain when his father asked him whether he’d be up for the job just a few minutes before the team was announced to the whole squad.

“He just asked me just before it and then obviously the lads when it got announced the lads congratulated us,” he said.

“I’m well aware it’s a huge honour. I know it’s a big responsibility and the lads have been doing a great job of that over the course of this tour. already. So we want to keep that ball rolling and kick on.”

Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn and Ireland centre Garry Ringrose both return from injury and will be pushing for selection in the Lions’ side for Saturday’s second Test against the Wallabies.

“This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests,” he said.

“The coaches’ minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places and we want that to continue for the remaining two Tests.”

Originally published as Rob Valetini declares full fitness for Lions MCG showdown as Wallabies look to level series