Lions to face 14 test players in AUNZ line-up for tour match
SYDNEY - The Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV to face the British & Irish Lions in Adelaide this weekend features eight All Blacks and six Wallabies with winger AJ Lam the only uncapped player in the starting line-up.
A powerhouse back row featuring Hoskins Sotutu, Pete Samu and Shannon Frizell is bound to test the Lions at Adelaide Oval on Saturday in their final run out before the test series.
Two-cap All Black Folau Fakatava will link up with one-cap Wallaby Tane Edmed in the halves but there is plenty of test experience in a backline featuring centres Ngani Laumape and David Havili as well as winger Marika Koroibete.
Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and All Black Havili will co-captain the team, which has been coached by Les Kiss with the assistance of former New Zealand boss Ian Foster, Simon Cron and Zane Hilton.
"After speaking with all the players we thought the co-captaincy model with natural leaders like David and Lukhan would really suit this team and what we represent," said Kiss, who will take over from Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach next year.
"This week has been building nicely and the boys have put a lot of time into getting to know each other. In forming new bonds many of them have discovered they have more in common than they originally thought.
"We have named an experienced, powerful starting side for Saturday and we know our bench will make an impact when they get their opportunity."
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Business S'pore to launch new grant for companies, expand support for workers amid US tariff uncertainties
World Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore Anjani Sinha has a rough day at Senate hearing
Asia Dr Mahathir at 100: Still haunted by the Malay Dilemma
Singapore What's next for PSP following its post-GE leadership shake-up?
Singapore NDP 2025: Diamond formations, 'multi-axis' fly-past to headline parade's aerial display
Multimedia 60 objects to mark SG60: Which is your favourite?
Singapore HDB flats less attainable in 2024 compared with 2022: Report
Singapore Apex court upholds SMC's punishment of doctor who gave patients unlicensed hormones
The Lions have won their first four tour games against Australia's Super Rugby teams and also face a First Nations & Pasifika XV between the first test on July 19 in Brisbane and the second test a week later in Melbourne.
Team: 15–Shaun Stevenson, 14–AJ Lam, 13–Ngani Laumape, 12–David Havili, 11–Marika Koroibete, 10–Tane Edmed, 9–Folau Fakatava, 8–Hoskins Sotutu, 7–Pete Samu, 6–Shannon Frizell, 5–Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4–Angus Blyth, 3–Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1–Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16–Kurt Eklund, 17–Joshua Fusitu'a, 18–George Dyer, 19–Matt Philip, 20–Joe Brial, 21–Kalani Thomas, 22–Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23–Jock Campbell REUTERS
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Rugby Australia want 'accountability' on late call in Lions test
SYDNEY - Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said he would seek an explanation from World Rugby on the late call by referee Andrea Piardi that ultimately decided the match and the series in the second test against the British & Irish Lions. Hugo Keenan's last-minute try gave the Lions a 29-26 win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but the Irish fullback only scored after Jac Morgan had cleared out Carlo Tizzano in a ruck in the buildup. The Wallabies wanted a penalty for high contact but Piardi allowed the try to stand, a decision slammed by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in his post-match press conference as contrary to World Rugby's campaign to improve player safety. "Joe's comments at the press conference were 100% aligned with mine as a CEO and a former Wallaby," Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald. "Our position on that particular decision is consistent to what Joe outlined in his analysis of that last breakdown. "Clearly there'll be the usual process, which is what happens after every test match, and we'll certainly be looking for a level of accountability from World Rugby over the next period of time." Waugh will not have to go far to air his views with senior World Rugby officials in Sydney this week for events looking forward to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Saturday's victory gave the Lions an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series ahead of the third and final test at Sydney's Stadium Australia this weekend. REUTERS

Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Wallabies are making progress despite Lions loss, says coach Schmidt
Australia coach Joe Schmidt is confident the Wallabies are on an upward trajectory despite seeing his side slip to a late series-deciding loss to the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday. The 29-26 defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was the Wallabies second in succession against Andy Farrell's team and means the Australians have only pride to play for in the final test in Sydney next weekend. The nature of the performance from a Wallabies side that held an 18-point lead over the tourists at one point before Hugo Keenan's last-gasp winning try has given Schmidt belief his team are moving in the right direction. "I think they are progressing," said the New Zealander. "It's never linear. It always tends to ebb and flow. "Our challenge is to try and be as consistent as we can, even within the game. When you build a lead of 23-5 and that slips, that's hugely disappointing. Particularly when it happens in the last play of the game. "We are trying to build consistency, we're trying to play a brand of rugby that entertains people and at the same time a brand of rugby that we enjoy playing. "I'm really proud of the effort the players put in and I'm really disappointed for them." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong Road South closed for repairs after car fell into sinkhole Asia Trump says Thailand and Cambodia agree to hold immediate ceasefire talks Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024 Singapore HSA will not trace vape users who throw away e-vaporisers in disposal bins at 23 CCs World Israel resumes airdrop aid to Gaza, military says World Turkey marks 50.5 deg C heat record in south-east Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes Opinion Metallurgy degree for IT job in Singapore? Why not, says Tata Consultancy's growth markets chief Schmidt's side for the third test is likely to be missing wing Harry Potter, who was replaced by Tate McDermott in the 19th minute of the game. "I don't think Harry Potter will be fit, that's a hamstring injury that looked severe enough to put him out for a period of time, so that might be an opportunity for somebody else," said Schmidt. "We've got a fair few bumps and bruises, including some fall-out from the last action of the game and we'll get players checked out and see how they come through." The Wallabies have announced former New Zealand lock Tom Donnelly will join the set-up as an assistant coach ahead of the Rugby Championship. He will replace the departing Geoff Parling. REUTERS


CNA
a day ago
- CNA
Wallabies are making progress despite Lions loss, says coach Schmidt
Australia coach Joe Schmidt is confident the Wallabies are on an upward trajectory despite seeing his side slip to a late series-deciding loss to the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday. The 29-26 defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was the Wallabies second in succession against Andy Farrell's team and means the Australians have only pride to play for in the final test in Sydney next weekend. The nature of the performance from a Wallabies side that held an 18-point lead over the tourists at one point before Hugo Keenan's last-gasp winning try has given Schmidt belief his team are moving in the right direction. "I think they are progressing," said the New Zealander. "It's never linear. It always tends to ebb and flow. "Our challenge is to try and be as consistent as we can, even within the game. When you build a lead of 23-5 and that slips, that's hugely disappointing. Particularly when it happens in the last play of the game. "We are trying to build consistency, we're trying to play a brand of rugby that entertains people and at the same time a brand of rugby that we enjoy playing. "I'm really proud of the effort the players put in and I'm really disappointed for them." Schmidt's side for the third test is likely to be missing wing Harry Potter, who was replaced by Tate McDermott in the 19th minute of the game. "I don't think Harry Potter will be fit, that's a hamstring injury that looked severe enough to put him out for a period of time, so that might be an opportunity for somebody else," said Schmidt. "We've got a fair few bumps and bruises, including some fall-out from the last action of the game and we'll get players checked out and see how they come through." The Wallabies have announced former New Zealand lock Tom Donnelly will join the set-up as an assistant coach ahead of the Rugby Championship. He will replace the departing Geoff Parling.