Suaalii set to feature in Invitational shootout for Wallabies
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The AUNZ Invitational match against the British & Irish Lions will not only be a historic event for the city of Adelaide, but double as a Wallabies trial a week before the opening Test.
AUNZ coach Les Kiss confirmed that several Wallabies aspirants will be given the chance to impress Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt for a starting spot, the day after he announces his wider Lions squad.
SA Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison, Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh and AUNZ Invitational XV head coach Les Kiss with the team jersey to be worn against the British & Irish Lions. Picture: Supplied
The AUNZ Invitational XV is the first to feature stars from both Australia and New Zealand since 1989 and will be led by Kiss – who takes over from Schmidt midway through next year as Wallabies coach – alongside assistants Ian Foster, Simon Cron and Zane Hilton.
Given it is the Lions' final hitout before their three-Test series against the Wallabies, it's expected they'll put out a full strength side against a combined team that is set to feature former All Blacks Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell, as well as Wallabies contenders that could include Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Tom Lynagh, who are on the mend from injuries.
The AUNZ Invitational XV could include Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Picture:'We're not sure what the balance will end up at this stage, however you're going to see some talent here,' said Kiss after the team jersey was unveiled in Adelaide on Friday.
'You're going to see some players at the top of their game, particularly some Wallabies that'll be chancing their last hand to say can I be part of Joe's team in that first Test when we go to Brisbane.
'So we're going to see some quality players that's for sure. It's a brilliant coaching group. I'm really pleased to be part of that but the broader management group from all the provinces and from RA are also coming in together to make this an experience, a unique experience that we can all enjoy.
'It's going to be a fair dinkum game but talking to some players and the staff, they're going to come in here to enjoy.'
There have been suggestions that the AUNZ team will be sent out to bash the Lions and hobble them for the opening Test, to which Kiss smirked and gave a coy response.
Les Kiss, Phil Waugh and two lucky young rugby fans. with the brand new AUNZ jersey, in Adelaide. Picture: Dean Martin
'I don't know what tactics we'll throw out yet but we just don't want the British & Irish Lions to get a handle on that too early,' Kiss said.
'Look when you bring that type of group together, I'm not going to say it's Barbarians, but we're going to allow them to play their footy and we're going to be direct and try and create some opportunities for those players to put their hand forward for whatever they want to do in terms of their Wallabies selections as well.
'I'm pretty sure Joe and myself will be talking about certain players that we need to give some time so that they can get a chance to put their hand up for the Test series.'
South Australia will host a four-day festival of events before and after the invitational game.
Further details
Thursday, July 10 – Official Golf Day
Book here.
Thursday, July 10 – Rugby Business Network Dinner
Enquiries: adam.fulepp@rugby.com.au
Friday, July 11 – Official Lunch
Book here.
Saturday, July 12 – AUNZ Invitational XV v British & Irish Lions
Tickets here.
Sunday, July 13 – Darts Downunder
Tickets here.
Originally published as AUNZ Invitational match declared a shootout for Wallabies starting spots, set to feature Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
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