Kiss to lead combined Australia-NZ team against Lions
Incoming Australia head coach Les Kiss will take charge of a combined Australia and New Zealand invitational team against the British & Irish Lions in a tour match in July.
Australia has only four Super Rugby sides after the demise of the Melbourne Rebels last year and the Lions will play the tour matches against the invitational sides in Adelaide and Melbourne as preparation for the test series.
Former Ireland coach Kiss, who will take over the Wallabies from Joe Schmidt in July next year, said it would be a privilege to lead the AUNZ side along with a coaching team including former All Blacks boss Ian Foster for the 12 July clash.
"The British & Irish Lions are one of world sport's most renowned teams and to be able to play them at an iconic Australian venue such as the Adelaide Oval will be an incredible spectacle," he said in a press release.
"I'm looking forward to working with a coach like Ian who has wide-ranging experience at the highest level of the game and linking up with the wider management in due course."
Toutai Kefu will coach the First Nations & Pasifika XV against the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on 22 July.
World Cup-winning Wallabies number eight Kefu, who was coach of Tonga until 2023, said it would be a particular honour to lead the inaugural First Nations & Pasifika XV.
"First Nations and Pasifika people contribute massively to the game all around the world," Kefu said.
"The significance of this game in celebrating those ongoing contributions can't be overstated, especially against a team with the history of the British & Irish Lions."
The first clash between the Lions and Australia will take place in Brisbane on 19 July with the second and third tests in Melbourne and Sydney on the following two Saturdays.
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Irish Examiner
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