“Their [French] rugby is won through the forwards, and there are a lot of big boys as well. But also, big names you can test yourself against – they have a lot of internationals playing in France. And also the fans, the games are pretty much sold out and the fans get into it, which would be different.”
Valetini was also inspired by seeing fellow Wallabies breakaway Pete Samu’s recent Champions Cup celebrations with Bordeaux, ahead of his return to the Waratahs next season.
Rob Valetini playing for the Wallabies against Wales last NovemberCredit: Getty Images
Valetini has been in touch with Samu to ask him about life in France and has also been using Duolingo to learn basic French.
“Seeing Bordeaux win and seeing the celebrations, it was just very big and I guess something that would be pretty cool to experience,” he said.
Valetini is focused on the finals campaign with the Brumbies and expects to make a decision on a sabbatical by the end of the month.
If he moves to France next season, Super Rugby will be without some of its marquee names, including Bell, Ikitau and Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio, who is leaving to play in Japan in 2026.
Billy Pollard is the form hooker in Australian rugby and has signed on until the World Cup.Credit: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Valetini’s Brumbies teammate, Wallabies hooker Billy Pollard has committed to Rugby Australia, signing on until the end of 2027.
Pollard is the form Australian hooker in Super Rugby and the 23-year-old said the prospect of playing in a home World Cup and staying at the Brumbies was too good to turn down.
“This is the best place for me to develop at the Brumbies and hopefully with Rugby Australia,” Pollard said.
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“It never really enticed me too much to go overseas. There’s so many amazing opportunities that are coming up in Australian rugby and it’s a really exciting time. So yeah, for me it just felt like it was the right move.”
The 23-year-old was born two months after the Wallabies sealed their last series victory over the Lions in 2001, but has been speaking to fellow front-rower James Slipper at the Brumbies about what to expect when the sea of red finally arrives in Australia next month.
“A lot of boys have described it, it’s just something that’s absolutely huge,” Pollard said. “Unless you’re someone like Slips that’s lucky enough to be around it twice, it’s a once in a generation type of thing.
“It is so important to every single player in Australia, every goal is for the Lions. It’s extremely exciting.
“Obviously, with that comes a lot of responsibility, but it’s something that I don’t think any player that’s in Australian rugby at the moment would shy away from.”
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