Rob Valetini doesn't mince words when he talks about his ambition for his rugby career.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I'd be lying if I didn't say I want to be the best in the world," he said ahead of the Brumbies' clash with Super Rugby rivals the Reds on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old has been on a steady upward trajectory since arriving in Canberra as a teenager in 2017 and that curve is getting steeper by the day. Even he didn't believe he'd already reached his 50th Super Rugby match this weekend.
"I had to double check," he said, also reminded by coach Dan McKellar he will be the youngest Brumby to play 50 games.
"No, I didn't know that, either. Dan mentioned that in the team meeting. Actually got one over Scotty Sio, so I was very happy there.
"It was a dream just to play one game, so just to get to 50, I'm over the moon."
There's no denying Valetini is on track to potentially achieve his goal of world domination, too. In Australian rugby he's already making his mark, with 18 caps for the Wallabies and being named in Dave Rennie's Gold Coast camp starting Sunday, which he will check into after his Super Rugby match in Brisbane.
The first focus is on Saturday, though, and he's using his milestone match, a Brumbies debut for Aussie Sevens Olympian Cam Clark, and potentially his family in Melbourne coming up to watch him as motivation to "rip in".
Valetini is especially hungry to taste victory against the Reds on their own home turf, too, with the last Brumbies win in Brisbane back in 2015.
"It's been a seven-year drought for us up there," he said.
"It'll just be a great game for not only us, but for rugby as well because the rivalry we have between each other."
MORE RUGBY NEWS:
The No.8 admitted he was adjusting to finding his "rhythm" in the first few weeks this season, but now felt he was hitting his straps.
Against the Reds, a team the Brumbies defeated beat by only four points just two weeks ago, Valetini knows ACT will be in for a fight, right to the very last phase.
"We know going up this week it's going to be an 80-minute game. They're a classy side," Valetini said.
"We've been practising and prepping really well this week - probably had our best session.
"It's both execution and energy ... and just communication throughout the team as well. We look pretty slick out there, so you're hoping that transfers into Saturday."
Valetini said he would try to insert himself into the action wherever possible, and for the team, nailing its set piece will be a must in Brisbane.
"Last time we played them our set piece was not up to standard and through that set piece we can play our attacking rugby style," he said.
"Hopefully I can get more touches on the ball and also just hoping all the boys play their role."
Former Sevens star Clark was "stoked" to finally get the chance to play this weekend. The outside back is set to make his Super Rugby return after a stint in the US playing in San Diego last year.
"It was interesting through that whole COVID period but it was great to play a lot of rugby over there and get some minutes in the legs," he said.
Clark has had to bide his time since being signed by the Brumbies but has shown McKellar he will be ready when called upon.
"The backline has been in red-hot form, so I knew it was going to take a while to get an opportunity," he said.
"You hear about the Brumbies' rugby program, but once I've been around it - an awesome coaching staff and group of boys and really close on and off the field - I'm really proud to pull on the jersey."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram