Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'There's a target on our back': Brumbies star eyes Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title over Kiwi counterparts

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Super Rugby Trans-Tasman is still four months away, but Brumbies star Rob Valetini is already eyeing a title challenge when Australia’s five Super Rugby sides go head-to-head with their New Zealand opposites.

ADVERTISEMENT

It makes sense given the Brumbies stand as reigning Super Rugby AU champions after clinching the inaugural crown last year, a title Valetini and the Canberra-based franchise are eager to retain.

Now with two trophies up for grabs in 2021, the loose forward wants to push for winners’ medals in both Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman this year.

Video Spacer

Brumbies prop Scott Sio speaks to media

Video Spacer

Brumbies prop Scott Sio speaks to media

He knows it’s a feat that won’t come easy, though, given the Brumbies’ champion status in Australia and the quality of opposition across the ditch.

“Heading into this season, I think there’s going to be a target on our back having won last year,” Valetini told reporters from Brumbies headquarters earlier this week.

“But, yeah definitely, we want to win the season again and hopefully take that over to [the] Trans-Tasman [competition].

“Keen to [play] those NZ teams seeing as their comp was up there [in terms of quality], so I think [we want] to prove that we’re the best in Australia and then that we’re the best in Australia and New Zealand.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Before the Australians do battle with the Kiwis, Valetini maintained that keeping hold of the Super Rugby AU trophy remains the Brumbies’ top priority with only three-and-a-half weeks until that tournament starts.

How the 22-year-old performs in either competition may go some way to determining how the Brumbies fare this year, especially after Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie left him with some advice following his sophomore year in test rugby.

After making his test debut in a World Cup warm-up clash against Samoa in 2019, Valetini came off the bench for Australia three times last year to bring his total test cap tally to four.

Still very inexperienced at the highest level of the game, the youngster’s exposure to the Wallabies set-up could yet prove vital to his development.

ADVERTISEMENT

Without that time in the Australian national camp, he may never have been told by Rennie what he needs to improve ahead of this season.

“I had a bit of feedback from Dave Rennie, just on areas that I can work on with work rate and fitness, so just trying to work on those areas and try take my game to another level.”

Those improvements could make Valetini an integral member of the Brumbies squad as he enters his fourth season with the franchise.

Originally from Melbourne, Valetini was a schoolboy star, as he became just the second Australian forward to sign a Super Rugby deal while still in school, and made his NRC debut for the Melbourne Rising while still at Westall Secondary College.

However, his decision to throw his lot in with the Brumbies has proven to be a good one given the relationship he has with his teammates.

“Canberra, I call my home now. It feels like that as well, with the boys and the culture that we have here,” Valetini said.

“We’ve got a lot of young boys here, so I just try lead with my actions. I’m not really good with my words with the boys, so I just try lead with my actions on the field or on the training paddock.”

Among those “young boys” include new loose forward recruits Rory Scott and Luke Reimer.

The 2018 Australian Schools duo were two of five players promoted to the senior squad from the Brumbies academy and will compete with the likes of Valetini for places in the back row this year.

Valetini said he has already felt the energy provided by the pair at pre-season training, with Scott earning the nickname ‘Poey’ due to his resemblance to Brumbies and Wallabies legend David Pocock.

“They’re fit and fast. Rory gives it his all. His nickname is Poey for a reason. Runs like him, he’s built like him, he just goes crazy.”

Valetini, Scott and Reimer could all make their first outings of the year when the Brumbies open their Super Rugby AU season against the Western Force at HBF Park in Perth on February 19.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

1 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
Search