
Rugby-Beale captains First Nations & Pasifika XV against Lions
BRISBANE (Reuters) -Kurtley Beale will get his chance to face the British & Irish Lions on a second tour after being named captain of the First Nations & Pasifika XV team for Tuesday's clash in Melbourne.
The 95-cap flyhalf, who famously slipped while taking a potentially match-winning penalty in the first test against the Lions in 2013, was robbed of the chance of facing the tourists for Western Force last month by a hamstring injury.
The 36-year-old, one of only 15 indigenous Australians to have represented the Wallabies, has recovered sufficiently to lead a strong backline at Dockland's Stadium.
"Kurtley is the most experienced player in the squad and was the natural selection for captain," coach Toutai Kefu said in a news release.
"He is an extremely talented footballer and has been there and done it on the big stage."
Beale is one of six indigenous players in the line-up with the rest of the matchday squad made up of players with Pacific islands heritage.
Tongan-born prop Taniela Tupou and Fijian-born winger Filipo Daugunu were released from the Wallabies squad for the match and will have a chance to show coach Joe Schmidt that they should be in the reckoning for the second and third tests.
Tuaina Taii Tualima, Charlie Gamble and Seru Uru make up a formidable back row, while former Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Darcy Swain will feel they have a point to prove to Schmidt when they link up in the second row.
Former Australia loose forward Pete Samu was prevented from playing by Lions management because he did not fulfil the stipulation in the tour agreement that all players should have featured in Super Rugby this season.
Kefu, who helped the Wallabies beat the Lions 2-1 in the 2001 test series, nonetheless felt he had selected a side that could hand the tourists their first defeat in Australia on this tour.
"The team has a really nice feel to it, with a blend of not only youth and experience, but also cultures," the World Cup winner said.
"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."
The Lions, who beat Australia in the first test in Brisbane on Saturday, will name their team on Monday.
Team: 15–Andy Muirhead, 14–Triston Reilly, 13–Lalakai Foketi, 12–David Feliuai, 11–Filipo Daugunu, 10–Kurtley Beale, 9–Kalani Thomas, 8–Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7–Charlie Gamble, 6–Seru Uru, 5–Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4–Darcy Swain, 3–Taniela Tupou, 2–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1–Lington Ieli
Replacements: 16–Richie Asiata, 17–Marley Pearce, 18–Mesake Doge, 19–Mesake Vocevoce, 20–Rob Leota, 21–Harrison Goddard, 22–Jack Debreczeni, 23–Jarrah McLeod
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Hashtags

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


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Rugby-Wallabies coach Schmidt slams match officials over late call in loss to Lions
Rugby Union - Australia v British and Irish Lions - Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia - July 26, 2025 British and Irish Lions' Owen Farrell celebrates with teammates after the match James Ross/AAP Image via REUTERS MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australia coach Joe Schmidt said match officials had failed to uphold player safety and hit out at a late clear-out decision that ensured the British & Irish Lions clinched a series-sealing victory on Saturday. Fullback Hugo Keenan's last-minute try put the Lions 29-26 up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but the Wallabies players cried foul after Jac Morgan cleared out Carlo Tizzano in the buildup. After a lengthy pause as the TV match official assessed multiple angles of the incident, the try was allowed to stand, giving the Lions victory and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Citing rugby's Law 9.20, which says head contact and clear-outs around the neck should be penalised, an incensed Schmidt said the officials had got the decision wrong. "Because they're human, match officials make errors," he said at the post-match press conference. "We felt it was a decision that doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they're (World Rugby) talking about. "You cannot hit someone above ... the shoulders. "But that's what we've seen and we've watched a number of replays from different angles so it is what it is and we just have to accept it." Wallabies captain Harry Wilson was also convinced his team were hard done by. "Obviously I saw shoulder to the neck. Carlo was pretty sore about it," he said. Lions coach Andy Farrell had a different view. "I thought it was a brilliant clear-out," he said. "Honestly, it depends which side of the fence you come from, I would have thought. "I can understand people's opinions, but I thought Jac was brilliant when he came on -- and so were the rest of the bench." Schmidt said he was proud of his players but gutted by the final result after the Wallabies had taken a 23-5 lead near the half-hour mark. While the Wallabies were bitterly disappointed that the clear-out decision had gone against them, they did not need to use it as motivation for the dead rubber in Sydney next Saturday. "You can't get more motivated than what the players showed tonight," he added. "You've got to keep resolve and keep going forward. "We're not going to wallow in self-pity." (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)


The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia to host 2026 Sepak Takraw World Cup in KL
MALAYSIA has secured the hosting rights for the 2026 Sepak Takraw World Cup, announced by Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan. The decision was made during the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) council meeting in Hatyai, Thailand. 'ISTAF decided to give Malaysia the right to host the 2026 World Cup based on its record of holding international championships and in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026,' Mohd Sumali said in a statement. This will be Malaysia's third time hosting the event, following previous editions in 2011 and 2024. In addition to the hosting announcement, Mohd Sumali reiterated PSM's opposition to ISTAF's proposed rule change regarding the tekong's service circle. 'It will cause the uniqueness and artistry of the tekong position to disappear, which is saddening. My view, representing Malaysia, (is) that we should retain existing rules to preserve the art of the tekong's service,' he added. The PSM president also expressed dissatisfaction with the packed schedule of the ongoing 2025 Thai King's Cup, calling it unreasonable and detrimental to player performance. - Bernama


New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia to host 2026 Sepak Takraw World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been given the right to host the 2026 Sepak Takraw World Cup, Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan said. The matter was decided at the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) council meeting in Hatyai, Thailand today, he added. "ISTAF decided to give Malaysia the right to host the 2026 World Cup based on its record of holding international championships and in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026," he said in a statement today. Malaysia will host the event for the third time, after hosting it in 2011 and 2024. Also, Mohd Sumali said that PSM would continue its opposition to ISTAF's suggestion to amend the rule regarding the tekong's service circle. "It will cause the uniqueness and artistry of the tekong position to disappear, which is saddening. My view, representing Malaysia, (is) that we should retain existing rules to preserve the art of the tekong's service," he added. He also voiced his disappointment over the match schedule of the ongoing 2025 Thai King's Cup, describing it as packed and unreasonable, which would affect players' performance and capabilities. – BERNAMA