McGregor: ‘The fight is off’
ROB Valetini is hoping that modeling his game on the likes of legendary back-rowers Jerry Collins and Sébastien Chabal can help deliver him a Wallabies jersey.
Valetini was selected in the Wallabies 40-man training squad as Dave Rennie begins preparations for a three-Test series against France in July.
As he looks to guide the Brumbies to back-to-back titles, he revealed that a boost in intensity has helped transform his game, taking inspiration from legendary All-Black Jerry Collins and ‘The Caveman’ Sébastien Chabal.
“I try and base my game off the older day number sixes and eights; Jerry Collins, Sébastien Chabal,” he told reporters on Monday.
“Being physical and trying to have an impact on the game and that’s what I’m trying to do, be physical and be a leader through my actions.
“If I can be physical through a game, others will follow so I’m trying to stamp my name.”
This comes after a long chat with Rennie, who believes that he needs to improve his work rate if he wants to build on his four Wallaby appearances, all off the bench.
“I had feedback from the coaches where they wanted more involvement from myself through work rate and repeated efforts so that comes through training,” he believes.
“If I can train at this intensity and work hard, I can definitely do that on Saturday so that’s definitely something I’ve been working on. It’s been paying off on game day.”
Valetini’s strong performances has left many questioning the make-up of the Wallabies back-row, with Rennie and the coaching staff trialing a number of options in the six jersey.
Even captain Michael Hooper’s spot has come under fire from young gun Fraser McReight, who was crucial in
IRELAND’S Conor McGregor has told Dustin Poirier their third fight scheduled for July 10 is off after the pair quarrelled on Twitter over a $500,000 donation to the American’s charity.
Former two-weight UFC champion McGregor said earlier this month that a third fight was booked with Poirier, who became the first man to knock him out in January. McGregor knocked Poirier out in a featherweight contest in 2014.
But McGregor was not happy when Poirier said the Irishman had not made good on a promise to donate to his charity.
“A donation, not a debt. We’ve been awaiting the plans for the money that never came,” McGregor said in a reply.
“500k with no plan in place,” he added. “The fight is off... I’m going to fight someone else on the 10th.”
Poirier replied by saying McGregor’s team “never responded” to emails explaining where the funds would go. the Reds’ victory over the Brumbies.
He believes that this competition is positive for Australian rugby ahead of the Super Rugby AU finals and Trans Tasman.
“I think none of the numbers are set and settled,” he added.
“I think that’s going to be for everyone in the team.
“No one’s already picked in that squad so I think that’ll be motivation to try and get in the starting team.”