Overlooked lock given another chance to push Test case
After turning out in the AUNZ invitational side last Saturday, the Queensland lock said he was waiting by the phone if required by Test coach Joe Schmidt.
Coach Toutai Kefu included four players from that disappointing 48-0 loss in Adelaide, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Pete Samu and Kalani Thomas also backing up.
Dumped Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who is of Samoan heritage, will also get another chance after being left out of the squad for the first Test this Saturday in Brisbane.
Fijian Drua forwards Mesake Doge and Mesake Vocevoce have been called into the squad as the first current Fijian internationals to face the Lions since the famous 1977 win.
Former Australia Under-20 props Lington Ieli and Marley Pearce will get another shot at the tourists, while Brumbies No.8 Tuaina Taii Tualima joined previously named back-rowers Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Charlie Gamble.
Halfbacks Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa and Harrison Goddard have been included, with Kurtley Beale and Jack Debreczeni set to share the flyhalf duties
Star centres Lalakai Foketi and David Feliuai are among the backs named, alongside Brumbies flyer Andy Muirhead.
In total, the group is made up of 20 players of Pasifika heritage and seven of First Nations heritage.
"There is a nice blend of youth and experience within the group, with countries and territories represented across the Pacific and Indigenous Australia," Kefu said.
"The players are aware at how big an opportunity this is to perform for their communities and grow the game of rugby.
"We have seen how strong the Lions are in recent weeks. The coaching staff and all the players will be working as hard as possible to prepare for this match and try to pull off something special in Melbourne."
FIRST NATIONS AND PASIFIKA XV SQUAD:
Forwards: George Blake (Cook Islands), Mesake Doge (Fiji), Feao Fotuaika (Tonga), Lington Ieli (Fiji), Marley Pearce (Maori and First Nations), Richie Asiata (Samoa), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa and Maori), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa), Darcy Swain (Samoa), Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji), Seru Uru (Fiji), Charlie Gamble (Tonga), Rob Leota (Samoa), Pete Samu (Samoa), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa)
Backs: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Fiji), Harrison Goddard (First Nations), Kalani Thomas (Maori), Kurtley Beale (First Nations), Jack Debreczeni (Cook Islands), David Feliuai (Samoa), Lalakai Foketi (Tongan and Maori), Isaac Henry (First Nations), Jarrah McLeod (First Nations), Andy Muirhead (First Nations), Kye Oates (First Nations), Triston Reilly (First Nations)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Starc takes 6 wickets for 9 runs as West Indies routed for 27 in Kingston
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Mitchell Starc took six wickets for nine runs, surpassing 400 test wickets in his 100th test, and Scott Boland claimed a hat trick as Australia bowled out the West Indies for 27 to win the third test by 176 runs on Monday, The West Indies missed the lowest score in test cricket by one run. Starc's first 15 balls delivered the fastest five-wicket haul in test history, and his 15th five-wicket bag in tests. The tall left-armer took a wicket with the first ball and three wickets in the first over of the West Indies innings at Sabina Park. Australia took only 14.3 overs to rout the home side in the first day-night test in Kingston and complete a 3-0 series sweep. 'It's been a fantastic series. I think we've seen some difficult batting conditions throughout,' Starc said. 'It's been a good few days, very enjoyable and I'll go home with a smile on my face. 'We saw last night the conditions with the hard pink ball under lights. It's pretty difficult. We didn't think it would happen as quickly today, until the sun went down a bit.' The match was the first day-night test in the Caribbean. Australia's bowlers dominated the series after winning the first two tests — by 159 runs in Barbados then by 133 runs in Grenada — to secure the Frank Worrell Trophy. While Starc missed a hat trick after dismissing Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King with consecutive deliveries, Boland completed his with the wickets of Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican. It was the 10th test hat trick by an Australian. Boland finished with three wickets for two runs. The West Indies was out for its lowest test score, eclipsing the 47 against England on the same ground in 2004. At 11-6 in the sixth over it was in danger of inheriting the lowest score in test history. A misfield by Sam Konstas in the 14th over allowed the West Indies to take a single and reach 27, just avoiding New Zealand's 70-year-old record of 26 set against England. Earlier, Alzarri Joseph took 5-27 as the West Indies bowled out Australia for 121 in its second innings, leaving a chase of 204 runs for victory. Australia began the third day at 99-6 but lasted only eight more overs. Cameron Green, who battled hard on Day 2 to reach 42, was out to the first ball of the day and the rest of the Australia tail followed quickly. When the West Indies replied, Starc produced an outstanding display of fast bowling on a responsive pitch. His first ball of the second innings, he compelled opener John Campbell to play defensive at a ball which moved away and he was caught by substitute wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. Inglis kept in place of Alex Carey, who was struck on the helmet by Alzarri Joseph on the second day. Starc then removed Anderson lbw, bowled King without scoring and Mikyle Lewis for 4, leaving the West Indies four wickets down for five runs. His fifth wicket was Shai Hope, trapped lbw by a ball that swung in at pace to hit the back pad. When Josh Hazlewood dismissed captain Roston Chase, caught by Inglis without scoring, the West Indies was 11-6. Taking out extras, the top six West Indies batters collectively scored only six runs. The West Indies was 22-6 at the dinner break. Shortly after it passed 26, helped by two dropped catches in the slips by Sam Konstas off Starc. Boland's hat trick brought the end closer and Starc's sixth wicket finished the match inside three days. ___ AP rugby:
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Flood of congratulatory messages after Jelena Dokic goes public with wonderful news
Jelena Dokic has received an outpouring of messages on social media after going public with her new relationship with Yane Veselinov. The Australian tennis hero has been spotted with Veselinov a number of times over the last few weeks, but 'hard-launched' the relationship on Instagram on Monday evening. Posting a photo of her and her partner both beaming, Dokic wrote: "You are my calm, safe, peaceful and happy place. So glad I found you." Grand slam champion Kim Clijsters posted a love heart emoji in response, while cricket presenter Erin Holland wrote: "COULDN'T LOVE THIS MORE." Hollywood actress Megan Gale posted three heart emojis, while another follower commented: "Best news of the year! Happy for you both." View this post on Instagram A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena) Dokic is a former World No.4 who has become one of Australia's most popular commentators and analysts. She previously dated Tin Bikic for 19 years, and was left heartbroken when the relationship ended in 2022. She recently opened up on her desire to start a family, and flagged the possibility of adopting children as a single mum. 'I was in a relationship for almost 19 years from the age of 20 and right when we split up, we were about to start trying for a family," she admitted. 'Maybe one day will I adopt? Possibly. It's something I would love to do because I love kids. 'I love kids and I know even if I were a single mum, to be honest, and I adopted one day, it would have all the love in the world. I would love to have a father as well, but I know I can give it absolutely everything and (it) would have all the love and support and I would be completely different. 'I always said I wanted to have kids, but I want to adopt. So that's a big wish of mine and passion and I hope to do it one day.' Dokic has opened up a number of times over the years about the horrific abuse she suffered at the hands of late father Damir, which is the subject of her award-winning documentary. Damir died in May after being estranged from his daughter for the last 10 years. In a brave and emotional social media post, Jelena admitted to "conflicting and complex" feelings about Damir's death and said "it's never easy losing a parent and a father, even one you are estranged from." Damir inflicted physical and mental abuse on Jelena while he was her coach, and at one stage made her change allegiances from Australia to Yugoslovia against her will. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena) "As you know my relationship with my father has been difficult and painful with a lot of history," she wrote after his death. "Despite everything and no matter how hard, difficult and in the last 10 years even non existent our relationship and communication was, it is never easy losing a parent and a father even one you are estranged from. "The loss of an estranged parent comes with a difficult and complicated grief. It's an end of a chapter and life as I know it. There are lots of conflicting and complex emotions and feelings for me. "For the end of this chapter, I choose to focus on a good memory like this picture (she posted from her youth). And as always and especially important to who I am as a person and what I want to stand for which is respect, grace, kindness, dignity and empathy, I will and want to be that person in this situation too." RELATED: Wimbledon crowd blown away by runner-up's act in speech Ugly detail divides tennis world after Jannik Sinner triumph She returned to work with Channel 9 soon after, leading the network's coverage of the French Open. She was also on TV screens throughout Wimbledon, which wrapped up on Sunday night.
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Starc takes 6 wickets for 9 runs as West Indies routed for 27 in Kingston
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Mitchell Starc took six wickets for nine runs, surpassing 400 test wickets in his 100th test, and Scott Boland claimed a hat trick as Australia bowled out the West Indies for 27 to win the third test by 176 runs on Monday, The West Indies missed the lowest score in test cricket by one run. Starc's first 15 balls delivered the fastest five-wicket haul in test history, and his 15th five-wicket bag in tests. The tall left-armer took a wicket with the first ball and three wickets in the first over of the West Indies innings at Sabina Park. Australia took only 14.3 overs to rout the home side in the first day-night test in Kingston and complete a 3-0 series sweep. 'It's been a fantastic series. I think we've seen some difficult batting conditions throughout,' Starc said. "It's been a good few days, very enjoyable and I'll go home with a smile on my face. 'We saw last night the conditions with the hard pink ball under lights. It's pretty difficult. We didn't think it would happen as quickly today, until the sun went down a bit.' The match was the first day-night test in the Caribbean. Australia's bowlers dominated the series after winning the first two tests — by 159 runs in Barbados then by 133 runs in Grenada — to secure the Frank Worrell Trophy. While Starc missed a hat trick after dismissing Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King with consecutive deliveries, Boland completed his with the wickets of Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican. It was the 10th test hat trick by an Australian. Boland finished with three wickets for two runs. The West Indies was out for its lowest test score, eclipsing the 47 against England on the same ground in 2004. At 11-6 in the sixth over it was in danger of inheriting the lowest score in test history. A misfield by Sam Konstas in the 14th over allowed the West Indies to take a single and reach 27, just avoiding New Zealand's 70-year-old record of 26 set against England. Earlier, Alzarri Joseph took 5-27 as the West Indies bowled out Australia for 121 in its second innings, leaving a chase of 204 runs for victory. Australia began the third day at 99-6 but lasted only eight more overs. Cameron Green, who battled hard on Day 2 to reach 42, was out to the first ball of the day and the rest of the Australia tail followed quickly. When the West Indies replied, Starc produced an outstanding display of fast bowling on a responsive pitch. His first ball of the second innings, he compelled opener John Campbell to play defensive at a ball which moved away and he was caught by substitute wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. Inglis kept in place of Alex Carey, who was struck on the helmet by Alzarri Joseph on the second day. Starc then removed Anderson lbw, bowled King without scoring and Mikyle Lewis for 4, leaving the West Indies four wickets down for five runs. His fifth wicket was Shai Hope, trapped lbw by a ball that swung in at pace to hit the back pad. When Josh Hazlewood dismissed captain Roston Chase, caught by Inglis without scoring, the West Indies was 11-6. Taking out extras, the top six West Indies batters collectively scored only six runs. ___
