Cruelled of a Lions debut last week, Melbourne's own Rob Valetini is primed for a blockbuster homecoming when Australia take the MCG turf on Saturday night.
Valetini, 26, failed to prove his fitness ahead of the First Test and was forced to watch from the sidelines as his Wallabies fell 27-19 to Andy Farrell's tourists in Brisbane.
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Speaking with reporters in Melbourne on Monday, the two-time reigning John Eales Medallist revealed his disappointment at narrowly missing the series opener and desire to play on home soil this weekend.
"I had a good week last week with training and it came through alright so, yeah, I'll be available for selection (this weekend)," Valetini said.
"I thought I would've been a shoe-in for the First Test, but yeah, sort of a smart idea just to have a week off and get through some more training, a bit of more loading through the calf and did a session Saturday morning … so it feels good to go.
"I was pretty down when I got injured and knowing I was going to miss the First Test as well, so I had to put all my focus through my recovery and getting all my exercise and trying to get the body right for the next two Tests."
"I've always watched games at the 'G and played there once before. It's an awesome atmosphere as well. Hopefully get a good crowd and it'll be awesome to play and have family there as well."
Valetini's physicality and post-contact metreage was sorely missed in Brisbane with rival backrowers Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan running rampant.
Taming that Lions trio is a challenge Valetini will relish on the biggest stage of his 52-Test career in front of an expected 90,000+ MCG crowd.
"I thought all three (Lions backrowers) were pretty involved, you know, quick big boys and I think they did their job as well," Valetini said.
"Yeah, I was eager to get on the field but couldn't and I think that's the challenge for us this week, knowing what's coming and trying to prepare for that.
"I don't really feel pressure or anything - I feel like it's just another game of rugby and something I've been playing ever since I was young.
"I just try to go out there and just do my job, whether that's carrying or doing the tackling. I'm just trying to do my bit for the team and hopefully I can help the other boys as well."
Wallabies veteran James Slipper tipped his Brumbies stablemate to deliver and hinted Valetini wouldn't be the only inclusion for Saturday's must-win clash with towering lock Will Skelton also available for selection.
"His size definitely helps (but) yeah he's a really good player," Slipper said of Valetini.
"He gives a lot of boys around him a lot of confidence just the way it goes about his business.
"He won't be the only one that we'll be looking forward to seeing back out there this week. and, you know, we've got a pretty full fit squad to pick from this weekend."
The Lions must first tackle Toutai Kefu's First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday night at Marvel Stadium - tickets are available for purchase here.
