Eight All Blacks from outside current squad included in AUNZ Invitational 15
Photo:
Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Eight All Blacks from outside Scott Robertson's current squad have been included in the AUNZ Invitational 15 to take on the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide on Saturday.
The All Blacks are Aidan Ross, David Havili, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ngani Laumape, Shannon Frizell and Shaun Stevenson.
Also in the 30-player squad are Chiefs prop George Dyer and Blues players AJ Lam, Kurt Eklund and Josh Fusitu'a.
Invitational head coach Les Kiss will lead the first combined Australia-New Zealand team since 1989 in what will be the Lions' final match before the test series against the Wallabies.
Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster is one of Kiss's assistants.
The Wallabies squeaked through their last match before the first test against the Lions in Brisbane on July 19, [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/566121/rugby-wallabies-strike-late-to-edge-fiji-but-lose-lolesio-to-concussion with a 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was disappointed after the win, saying there were too many errors from his players.
The Lions, meanwhile, ground out [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/566065/rugby-live-updates-waratahs-v-british-and-irish-lions a 21-10 win over the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday, their third successive victory on their Australian tour.
"There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to build this squad and it's exciting to see it come together," Kiss said.
"We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand.
"Each of them has a lot to play for and there's a real sense of anticipation about the unique opportunity in front of us.
"As the first AUNZ side to be assembled in 36 years, we have the chance to do something pretty special here in Adelaide."
AUNZ Invitational squad:
Aidan Ross, AJ Lam, Angus Blyth, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Daniel Botha, Darby Lancaster, David Havili, Folau Fakatava, George Dyer,
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Hoskins Sotutu,Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jock Campbell, Joe Brial, Joey Walton, Joshua Fusitu'a, Kalani Thomas, Kurt Eklund, Lachlan Anderson, Lukhan Salakai-Loto, Mac Grealy, Marika Koroibete, Matt Philip, Ngani Laumape, Pete Samu, Richie Asiata, Seru Uru, Shannon Frizell, Shaun Stevenson,
Tane Edmed.
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