“The top of my career”: Why Alaalatoa ranks ‘special’ Lion

WALLABIES and ACT Brumbies veteran Allan Alaalatoa is looking forward to playing against the British and Irish Lions in what will be a career highlight for the prop.

Following Australia’s Spring Tour last year, which saw a famous victory against England at Twickenham, a resounding win against Wales and a close loss to Ireland, this has given renewed optimism that the Wallabies could pull an upset and beat the Lions.

And with only one match before the much-anticipated Lions series beginning, last weekend’s Test against Fiji will have served as the last chance for players to impress Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt before he selects his final squad.

Speaking ahead of the match, Alaalatoa noted how much competition there has been for a spot on this tour, which he thought should make for a strong performance against Fiji.

“I mean the competition for spots is very high here at the Wallabies,” Alaalatoa said on SEN 1170’s Breakfast.

“That’s fully due to a great quality competition in the Super Rugby. Seeing the performance of individuals and everyone is putting their hand up for selection.

“I guess the boys got the first nod who were selected for Fiji and have that first opportunity to put everything together.

“I think for us, it’s trying to put on the field what we have been speaking about all week and what we’ve been training. I think that’s what we’re looking forward to the most.”

Excitement within the country has been building for the tour with the Lions already beginning their preparation in the country, having played and well and truly beaten the Western Force and Queensland Reds.

And despite having played at a Rugby World Cup back in 2019, Alaalatoa regards this Lions tour as the biggest moment of his career, given the scarcity of their visits.

“It will be the top of my career, for sure,” Alaalatoa gleefully noted.

“Knowing how special it is, knowing that they only tour once every 12 years.

“We know the emotion is going to be special for everyone here in Australia. Those are things that you try and see and feel before it comes out.

“Because you just want to go out there and in between the white lines, you just want to go to work.

“I think it’s going to be really special and it’s something as a kid, you think, you’ve got to be lucky with the timeframe when they come because you’ve got to be lucky to try and get yourself an opportunity to play against them.”

The Wallabies travelled to Newcastle to face off against Fiji as part of their preparation for the three-match series against the British and Irish Lions.

The match took place on Sunday afternoon.

The Wallabies’ first test match against the Lions takes place on July 19 at Suncorp Stadium.

BY SEN/NICHOLAS QUINLAN