No players survives at test rugby just on physical dominance, kiwis would never select on that criteria alone either. They choose players who offer balance to the team, and the right level of skill, fitness, technique and rugby smarts.
Valetini is a good player with a lot of potential, I don’t see him in the category of ‘must start’ though.. still a long road ahead for him yet
That was mainly just a summation of his strengths (no pun intended) - dominant tackling, dominant clear outs, gets over the advantage line with the ball and generally has a high workrate......... and he's in excellent form.
Watching him manhandle Springbok forwards in Super Rugby last year was a thing of beauty..........
I think he provides a point of difference that we require in the backrow that none of the other options provide, and that physicality, particularly around the tackle is something we've been lacking in recent years against the top nations, which they possess (including the Kiwis).
The only thing working against him is that he doesn't jump in the lineout, but I think the other attributes of his game outweigh that.
Personally, I'd start him......... but as I said, lots of good options coming playing well this year, and any combination of him and/or Hooper, Wright, Naisarani, Samu or Wilson could be pretty good.
And we shouldn't rule out Dempsey either.........
I'm still of the firm opinion that LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is needed at lock.