British & Irish Lions vs First Nations & Pasifika XV LIVE updates: Test hopefuls put it all on the line at Marvel Stadium
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6.57pm
Beale to lead, Wallaby absent for historic Lions clash
Kurtley Beale will captain the First Nations and Pasifika side against the British and Irish Lions while Pete Samu's absence has been confirmed for the Marvel Stadium clash.
Beale, who has 96 Test caps, missed the Western Force's clash with the Lions due to a hamstring injury.
But the 36-year-old is set to lead the first-of-its-kind side in Melbourne on Tuesday, 12 years after featuring for the Wallabies on the Lions' last visit.
Fellow Test talents Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Lalakai Foketi and Filipo Daugunu are also set to suit up for the clash.
But Samu, the former Brumbies star who's set to return from France to Australian rugby with the NSW Waratahs next season, will not join them.
The versatile backrower featured in the AUNZ Invitational outfit earlier in the season and remains in Wallaby calculations amid a 15-Test calendar year.
But, citing 'rules and regulations' around the revised fixture that was created after the Melbourne Rebels were shut down last year, he was denied an encore by the Lions while he waits to team up with his next Super Rugby side, the Waratahs.
It's understood the revised pre-tour agreement allowed the Lions to have final say on who was selected for the clash.
The move comes after the Lions began the tour by calling out Rugby Australia for not releasing more Test talents to feature in tour games against the visitors.
Having come to grips with the setback, coach and 60-Test Wallabies great Toutai Kefu is keen to 'make history' against a Lions squad playing in between the Brisbane and Melbourne Tests.
'The team has a really nice feel to it, with a blend of not only youth and experience, but also cultures,' he said.
'It's an opportunity for the players involved to press their cases forward for higher honours, so everyone will be keen to make an impression.
'The Lions have shown how strong they are on this tour.
'No matter who plays, they will be very hard to beat, but we're not here to make up the numbers.
'We want to win this game and make history.'
First Nations and Pasifika: Lington Ieli, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Kalani Thomas, Kurtley Beale (c), Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Lalakai Foketi, Triston Reilly, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Richie Asiata, Marley Pearce, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Rob Leota, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Jarrah McLeod.
6.56pm
Tonight's weather
The roof is on inside Marvel Stadium but it's quite chilly still but the cold wind hasn't made its way into the stadium.
6.54pm
Good evening
G'day everyone and welcome to our rugby live blog as the British & Irish Lions continue their 2025 tour with a clash against the First Nations & Pasifika team at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
It's a chilly Tuesday night in Melbourne but the action on the field should be at the highest level as players on both sides chase a place in Saturday's second Test between the Lions and the Wallabies at the MCG.
Kickoff is set for 8pm. Enjoy the evening to come.
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