Veteran prop James Slipper said Australia have to meet the Lions “on the edge” of the rule book in the second Test in Melbourne as former Test star Matt Burke questioned why no Wallabies responded with menace to a cheap shot on young five-eighth Tom Lynagh in Brisbane.
Slipper pointed to a more ruthless attitude at the MCG by the Wallabies as key back-rower Rob Valetini confirmed his availability for the must-win clash.
Australia’s Rob Valentini is tackled by Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta of Fiji.Credit: Getty
The grunt work of Valetini was missed at Suncorp Stadium, where the Lions physically dominated the Wallabies. Valetini said he felt on track to play after a calf injury but revealed coach Joe Schmidt had made the call not to risk the big back-rower for the first Test.
“I thought I would have been a shoo-in for the first Test but [it was] sort of a smart idea just to have a week off and get through some more training, a bit more loading through the calf,” Valetini said. “It feels good to go.”
