Wallabies: Valetini Out Due to Injury, Schmidt Prepares Surprise Changes

Valetini misses the third test against the Lions

The Wallabies will be without their outstanding flanker, Rob Valetini, for the third and final test against the British and Irish Lions. Coach Joe Schmidt is preparing to make a surprising selection at scrum-half. Valetini will not participate in the match at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, after not returning for the second half of the dramatic 29-26 defeat against the Lions at the MCG last week. Valetini had an excellent first half in his first match since the Brumbies’ defeat in the Super Rugby semi-final in mid-June. The two-time John Eales Medal winner was key to Australia taking the lead.

The third line ran 28 meters in nine carries, surpassed only by the Lions’ third line, Tadhg Beirne, who played the full 80 minutes.

Schmidt revealed that Valetini “tightened up” at halftime and the Wallabies made the decision not to send him out for the second half. The calf injury that caused him to miss the first test in Brisbane will now rule him out of Saturday’s final. The Wallabies appear to have made a strategic decision, as a two-test tour of South Africa awaits them two weeks after the third test with the Lions.

It is likely that Langi Gleeson, who performed excellently from the bench at the MCG, will again replace Valetini after occupying the number 6 position against Fiji in Newcastle before suffering an injury himself. Furthermore, it is reported that Schmidt will turn to Nic White at scrum-half in what could be the veteran’s last test. White has yet to play for the Wallabies this season, but multiple reports suggest that the Western Force scrum-half will replace Jake Gordon at number 9 after the Waratahs captain played the full 80 minutes last week. Schmidt will confirm his team later on Thursday, but prop Taniela Tupou is also expected to be called up, either as a starter or from the bench, following Allan Alaalatoa’s shoulder injury.