Wallabies captain Harry Wilson concedes the loss of dynamic flanker Rob Valetini is a huge blow ahead of the opening Test against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane.

While Wilson is confident debutant Nick Champion de Crespigny will do the job as his replacement, he says Valetini’s absence with a calf injury has left a hole in the Wallabies squad.

“Bobby’s a massive loss for us – he’s been one of the form players in world rugby for some time now. He takes the tough carries for us week in and week out.

“You don’t take it for granted, but you just appreciate a bloke who can take on two or three people and set up front foot ball.”

Valetini is usually one of the first names on Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s teamsheet, having taken ownership of the No 6 jersey with his immense power, strong ball carrying and deft offloading.

He was awarded the John Eales Medal in 2023 and 2024 – an accolade bestowed on the best Australian player each season by his peers.

“The whole forward pack will have to step up because when you lose a player like him it’s not ideal,” added Wilson. “But Nick has trained the house down. He’s a big physical man and he wants to impose himself on the opposition.”

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The back-row battle is shaping up to be a key area of the game at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, particularly after the way the Waratahs and Brumbies disrupted the Lions’ ball in their respective tour matches.

The Wallabies have chosen Wilson at No 8, alongside Reds teammate Fraser McReight at openside and Champion de Crespigny at blindside flanker.

The Lions opted for Irish duo Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan with England’s Tom Curry in the No 7 shirt.

“The Lions have gone with a few different combinations, they’ve all been playing well,” said Wilson. “I’m really excited with the back-row battle, it’s a big test for us.”

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Wilson said he was almost pinching himself at the thought of leading the Wallabies in a Test against the Lions.

“Playing the British & Irish Lions, it doesn’t get much bigger in Australian sport,” he said. “We’re very confident, we’ve had a really good week and done all the preparation that we wanted to do. I feel like we’re in a really good place.

“As a young footballer, these are the situations you want to be in, the British and Irish Lions on your home track,” he added. “I just can’t wait to begin.”

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