Rob Valetini cracks a smile at the mere mention of Lachie Swinton's name as the ACT Brumbies flanker prepares to lock horns with Super Rugby AU's most fiery character.
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Valetini is expecting his NSW Waratahs counterpart to try to lure him into a scrap when the bitter interstate rivals meet at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday night.
Swinton boasts an undeniable mean streak - last year he shoved Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a backwards with a clenched fist. He's the type of character to stand over a rival after levelling them in a tackle and let them know all about it.
Now alongside Waratahs teammates Michael Hooper and Jack Dempsey, he sets the scene for an enticing back-row battle against Brumbies trio Pete Samu, Tom Cusack and Valetini.
But the 21-year-old Brumby is confident he can avoid the niggle and strike the Waratahs where it hurts most - on the scoreboard in search of a fifth straight win over NSW.
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"That's their whole pack, trying to start a fight or little niggles. Come Saturday we won't be getting into that, we just there to do our job and play rugby," Valetini said.
"[They're] both physical, especially Swinton, a big boy. We'll just have to front up with big boys like that and be physical with them.
"Last time we weren't as physical and they got us in the first half. It's going to be really physical against Swinton and Hooper, we'll try to stop them early."
Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa says the back-row battle will have a huge impact on the club's bid to return to the top of the ladder, backing his troops to be up for the fight.
"Our back-row has been unbelievable over the past couple of games, especially at the beginning of the year. For us it's about building momentum and continuing the form we had against the Rebels," Alaalatoa said.
"We're keen as to see how they rip in."
The Brumbies will be forced to make the near seven-hour round trip to Sydney and back on game day as part of Rugby Australia's COVID-19 restrictions.
It adds another difficult dimension to the task at hand with Alaalatoa and the Brumbies' all-star front-row already facing a major test on the park as they look to step up at the set piece and right the wrongs of round one.
Tom Robertson comes into the Waratahs' front-row after four months out with a back injury, while Tom Horton is set to earn his first Super Rugby start at hooker.
"We've got a big focus around our set-piece, obviously it wasn't up to scratch in round one," Alaalatoa said.
"We definitely know our set-piece is going to be tested again, they've got a quality front-row, both Wallaby props. For the full 80 it's going to be a great contest up front."
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND THREE
Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Sydney Olympic Park, 7.15pm.
Brumbies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: Connal McInerney, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Lachlan McCaffrey, 20. Will Miller, 21. Issak Fines, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Mack Hansen.
Waratahs squad: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Tom Horton, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Ned Hanigan, 5. Rob Simmons (c), 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Mitch Short, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Alex Newsome, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Joey Walton, 14. James Ramm, 15. Jack Maddocks. Replacements: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Tetera Faulkner, 18. Angus Bell, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Will Harris, 21. Michael McDonald, 22. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 23. Ben Donaldson.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
