It is always about the team, but the importance of the Wallabies' X-factor forward Rob Valetini is giving home fans some hope ahead of an MCG showdown.
The Power of One was Saturday’s front-page headline in Melbourne’s Herald Sun, with Valetini returning for the biggest match of his career in the sports mad city where it all began. A local journalist once described the then-teenager as “hitting like a freight train while still learning to drive”.
But Valetini, with 52 international appearances and back-to-back wins of Australian rugby’s greatest honour - the John Eales Medal - no longer has the L-plates on as he prepares to force the British & Irish Lions to a Test decider in Sydney next week.
“Bobby just loves playing for Australia. He’s missed two games this year, but he hasn’t missed many over the last six years or so — I think it’s fair to say he’s very excited and lining up against the Lions,” said Wallabies captain Harry Wilson.
“You get a lot of confidence when you’ve people like Bobby’s experience and presence in your team, it makes a difference.”
Valetini was watching from the bench with a calf injury as Andy Farrell’s much-debated Lions back-row selection of Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan laid the foundation for the eight-point win in Brisbane.
They remain in post — Farrell making just three changes to that starting line-up — and Valetini has them in his sights.
“They all did their jobs well and were very involved. We know the challenge waiting for us; we know what’s coming,” he said.
Valetini, it's fair to say, is a man of actions not too many words.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made no secret of his game plan, with Valetini joined by former Saracens and now La Rochelle forward Will Skelton in a new-look team.
They were outmuscled at Suncorp Stadium, especially in the opening exchanges, and will not allow that to happen again in front of a near six figure crowd in Melbourne.
Valetini has been Australia’s best player for the past two seasons because he does not shirk the physical battles, crunching into tackles and leading by example from hooter to hooter.
Schmidt has taken a risk by resisting changes to his back line, but he has made it clear that the key to restoring Australia’s fortunes in world rugby is developing cohesion - not continually chopping and changing personnel.
It is clear he believes this game will be decided in the forwards, especially with the forecast rain likely to mean the team that dominates set pieces and the breakdown will emerge triumphant.
Another key area will be the kicking game, with the first Test underlining that precision kicks are essential to pressuring the Lions' back row.
They executed it perfectly when Max Jorgensen stole a high bomb from under the nose of Tommy Freeman for their first score in Brisbane.
Expect more of the same, while Schmidt will have to take tactical risks, knowing the series is on the line, with Queensland half back Tate McDermott his impact replacement and how he uses his bench essential.
