Best of enemies: Valetini and Swinton eager to resume hostilities in Super Rugby opener

Best of enemies: Valetini and Swinton eager to resume hostilities in Super Rugby opener,The Brumbies and Waratahs back-rowers are two of the hardest players in Australian rugby and their battles are measured on the Richter Scale.

Best of enemies: Valetini and Swinton eager to resume hostilities in Super Rugby opener

Eddie Jones will be in the stands for the Waratahs-Brumbies game on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, but he could sit in his office 100 metres away in the Rugby Australia building and still get a good sense of how the battle of his two Wallabies hitmen is travelling.

The physical intensity shown by Brumbies No.6 Rob Valetini and Waratahs flanker Lachie Swinton is high in any game, but when they line up against each other, it escalates to ground-shaking territory.

“He is definitely a leader in the forward pack with his aggression,” Valetini said.

“But he has been out for a year, so I am just happy to see him back on the field tomorrow night. No doubt me and him will definitely go at it. We have an agreement to go at each other when we verse each other. We always say ‘good battle’ at the end of the game. It will be exciting tomorrow.”

Asked about the match-up with Valetini at NSW’s captain’s run, Swinton broke into a grin: “It will be a good contest. I know he will be rolling around the corner and I will be right there.”

Aside from a first audition for Jones, the Waratahs-Brumbies clash will carry plenty of meaning for both Valetini and Swinton.

Rob Valetini had an outstanding season in 2022.Credit:Getty

Swinton will be playing his first game of Super Rugby since he injured nerves in his left shoulder in the opening round of last season, which required surgery. The seven-cap Wallaby sat out the whole year.

In Swinton’s absence last year, Valetini was the outstanding back-rower in Australia in Super and Test rugby, and he was recognised for both on Thursday.

Along with belatedly receiving the 2022 Super Rugby player of the year award, the Brumbies forward was announced as having re-signed with Rugby Australia and the Brumbies through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The deal will involve a sabbatical in Japan in the first half of 2026, but along with Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa – who have also extended to 2027 – Valetini will be a foundation player for Jones. The 24-year-old met the new Wallabies coach on Thursday for the first time.

‘Emotional’: Lachie Swinton returns for the Waratahs after a year-long injury lay-off.Credit:Waratahs Media/ Julius Dimataga

“It was quite scary. I heard he is quite a tough man, we just chatted a little bit,” Valetini said.

“I had only heard stories from back in the day. He has been smiling a bit which is a good sign at the moment. We will have to see, come Wallabies time.”

Valetini said it was sad to see Dan McKellar, a mentor at the Brumbies and the Wallabies depart, but he trusted Rugby Australia had the Wallabies coaching staff situation under control, despite Jones currently having no assistants.

“My focus point is just playing well and getting selected, not really who is going to be coaching,” he said.

Swinton, a noted big hitter, said he endured some dark days waiting for the nerve injury in his shoulder to heal, but the experience wouldn’t stop him going all out when it comes to physical contact.

“It has taken a while to get that confidence back. We have a great medical team behind me, and we have done an integration of contact and that has given me full confidence in using my shoulder like old times, for months now,” he said.

“I have no doubt or am even thinking about it when I am out there. It’s not even in the back of my mind anymore.”

Meanwhile, the son of Queensland and Wallabies great Michael Lynagh will make his debut for the Reds on Saturday against the Hurricanes in Brisbane.

Tom Lynagh, 19, has been named at No.10 for Queensland, with James O’Connor unavailable through injury. The youngster grew up in England but joined Queensland last year and after playing a season in club rugby, has impressed Brad Thorn with his trial form.

Watch all the action from the Super Rugby Pacific with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport. Round 1 kicks off this weekend with Crusaders v Chiefs (Friday 4:30pm AEDT), Waratahs v Brumbies (Friday 7pm AEDT), Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua (Saturday 2pm AEDT), Highlanders v Blues (Saturday 4:45pm AEDT), Reds v Hurricanes (Saturday 7pm AEDT) and Force v Rebels (Saturday 9:45pm AEDT).