Wallabies debutant Rob Valetini has gone from playing under the lights of Parramatta Stadium to wearing a Canberra Vikings jersey in the heart of Tuggeranong.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But if playing in front of 16,000 fans wasn't enough to boost his confidence, coach Nick Scrivener has one request: play physically.
The Vikings suffered their first loss of the NRC season last week but will be bolstered by Wallabies Valetini and Joe Powell for their third-round clash with Brisbane City on Saturday.
Valetini will join fellow Wallaby Pete Samu and Luke Gersekowski in the back-row while Powell could make his season debut from the bench.
Scrivener said the Vikings "certainly need the physicality Valetini brings" against Brisbane's robust back-row, with Adam Korczyk and Fraser McReight named for the clash.
"We want him to throw his weight around and get stuck in," Scrivener said.
"In terms of how we want to improve from last week, is certainly physicality around the contact area. That's the strength of Rob's game isn't it?"
MORE RUGBY NEWS
Powell will be playing with a point to prove after being left out of Michael Cheika's squad to play against Samoa last week.
The scrumhalf missed Canberra's opening two clashes and only returned to training earlier this week.
But the 25-year-old will have to wait at least another week for a starting position with Scrivener naming Ryan Lonergan at No.9.
"Coming into a side as a halfback is difficult to be dropped straight into a starting spot," Scrivener said.
"Ryan has been playing well and he's our first choice goal-kicker, so these things come into play when making those sorts of selections.
"He's great to have around the group again and is looking for a good contribution if he gets onto the field this weekend."
Prop Tom Ross has earned a recall to the starting line-up while Jake Simeon has been moved to the bench alongside Bo Abra and TP Luteru.
Flanker Will Miller has been ruled out of the NRC clash with a knee complaint, with Angus Allen to start on the bench.
NRC ROUND THREE
Saturday: Canberra Vikings v Brisbane City at Viking Park, 2pm.
Canberra Vikings' squad: 1. Fred Kaihea 2. Lachlan Lonergan 3. Tom Ross 4. Blake Enever 5. Darcy Swain 6. Pete Samu 7. Luke Gersekowski 8. Rob Valetini 9. Ryan Lonergan 10. Noah Lolesio 11. Mack Hansen 12. Irae Simone 13. Tom Wright 14. Toni Pulu 15. Andy Muirhead
Reserves: 16. TP Luteru 17. Bo Abra 18. Jake Simeon 19. Nick Frost 20. Angus Allen 21. Joe Powell 22. Bayley Kuenzle 23. George Morseu
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
