Valetini showed the Lions his might. Now for a Twickenham encore against England

After beating England last year at Twickenham, Wallabies back-rower Rob Valetini is back in London knowing a return to his best form is needed to give Australia a chance of repeating the feat.

A lingering calf issue has frustrated the 27-year-old since the British and Irish Lions series, but he is happy to report a return to peak condition.

Valetini’s drop in form demands context: his normal standard is being the best player in the team.

Successive John Eales medals back up that view. His streak ended when centre Len Ikitau won the award for Australian rugby’s player of the season in 2025.

Valetini shoulders a considerable amount of responsibility as the Wallabies’ biggest physical threat. His powerful style was most evident during the Lions series in a punishing 40-minute display in the second Test defeat in Melbourne. On that night at the MCG, he dovetailed brilliantly with second-rower Will Skelton.

It has taken time and patience to get his calf right, but for Valetini it’s now a case of building minutes and confidence in his ability to perform at his best.

“I think it’s just something I’m trying to get over with [his calf injury], not over with, but just stay on top [of it],” Valetini said.

“I’m just doing my extra strength work after gym and a little one-percenters I can do to help with my calf.

“I guess that’s probably been one of my main focuses, just to consistently be out there on the training paddock and be available for games and selections. I’ve sort of been in and out, so it’s been hard to put games together and try to play to the best of my abilities.

“In my body, I feel like I’m 100 per cent. I think it’s just trying to get the confidence back and to build momentum, so I can play my best and do my job for the team.”

The Wallabies arrived at their previously used London base in the leafy suburb of Teddington on Sunday evening after flying from Japan, far from the bustle of central London.

Despite the nine-hour time difference between Tokyo and London, the squad trained on Monday afternoon in autumn sunshine, with second-rower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto still a chance to play as he manages a rib injury suffered against Japan.

Thirty kilometres away at England’s training base in the Surrey countryside, British and Irish Lions hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie recalled the hurt that the 42-37 loss last year against Australia caused.

“It was a tough game, of course. I felt when I came on [at 57 minutes], it was in the balance. They beat us which still hurts,” Cowan-Dickie said.

“You always know when you play Australia it’s going to be a tough game. They’ve definitely improved since then [last November].”

England are expected to start Tommy Freeman at outside centre on Saturday, a position he played once for his country last year in the Six Nations against Wales, after starting all three Lions Tests on the right wing. This gives Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii a new challenge against Freeman on his return to Twickenham after a stunning man of the match performance on debut last year.

England halfback Alex Mitchell was full of praise for Suaalii after facing him in all three Tests for the Lions and also watching the chaos he caused aerially last year in London.

“He’s a massive threat, we need to appreciate that quality [he has] in the air ... we obviously knew he was a quality player [last year], but you don’t always get to know [how good] until they actually play.”

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