Wallabies back-rower Rob Valetini is preparing for a fired-up Springboks side when they take the field on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.
The world champions were defeated on the siren by the Wallabies 28-26 in their first game outside of South Africa since their 2019 World Cup triumphs.
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Coming off a win over the top-ranked side, Valetini was refusing to get wrapped up in their heroics, expecting payback as they look to build off their performance this weekend.
“They’ve got a bigger forward pack there so as a team, we’ve had a plan all of last week to try and defuse their big bodies by chopping them and trying to be physical with them. On the weekend, we didn’t take a step backwards and took it to them and for us, it’s about building from that game,” he said.
“I think coming up this week they won’t be too happy with their results on the weekend and I think come this Saturday, they’re going to come out and try to get one on us.”
Valetini preached the importance of staying balanced and ensuring their focus doesn't solely lie on football given they must still adhere to certain quarantine controls.
The 24-year-old has credited finding balance outside of the sport to his dominant 2021 campaign and believes it's important as they look to avoid overthinking their roles and responsibilities.
“With free time, it’s just about trying to get away from Rugby, especially with the boys here. It’s pretty hard with quarantine as well,” he admitted.
“When we’re not training, trying to get away to the beach and get away from training because you’re always around doing training and on the computer doing homework.
“Trying to get that break because if you think about Rugby too much, it can play a big role in overthinking the game.”
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This comes as Valetini was recently awarded both the Brett Robinson Players’ Player of the Year and the Member's Choice Player of the Year for the Brumbies, an honour which he didn't take lightly.
“It meant a lot for me,” Valetini said on the award.
“To get the award and voted by the boys you put in your hard work with day in, day out, I’m truly grateful for the boys for seeing me as the winner and I’m blessed and grateful.
“Every week I wear that jersey, I’m trying to do my job and I was grateful yo have the boys beside me, we’re just trying to do our job so I’m blessed.
