Latest news with #Samu
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It's extra motivation for our boys': Kefu speaks out after Lions block Wallaby from playing
'I'm here to talk about the game tomorrow and as a playing group, as a coaching group, I don't think we're that fussed either way to be honest.' Sources with knowledge of the Lions' demand but not authorised to speak publicly said that Samu was told the news yesterday in Melbourne and was offered the opportunity to leave the First Nations and Pasifika XV, but requested to stay with the squad where he is helping at training. Samu's teammates were told on Friday morning at training. The First Nations & Pasifika XV fixture in Melbourne was created after the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels last May and will be the first time a team of this nature has played the British and Irish Lions in Australia. Because the original tour agreement signed between Rugby Australia and the Lions organisation initially had the Rebels fixture in it, the need to change to an alternative team after the Rebels' demise last year also meant the contract had to be amended. The Lions agreed, but insisted on a sign-off of the squad that would be put together. The Lions have drafted in three Scotland players Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland and Darcy Graham, specifically for Tuesday's game at Docklands Stadium, to provide cover for the Test squad. Samu is of Samoan heritage and played for the AUNZ XV that were defeated last Saturday by the Lions in Adelaide Oval. Kefu named a squad including Kurtley Beale, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Andy Muirhead to take on the Lions but it is arguably not as strong as the AUNZ Invitational XV, who were thumped by the Lions 48-0 in Adelaide. Loading Fijian Drua duo Mesake Doge and Mesake Vocevoce were also called into the squad, becoming the first Fijian internationals to face the Lions since the country's 1977 victory. The First Nations Pasifika squad has also been bolstered by Thursday's news that Wallabies Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu will play in the fixture. Fijian Test winger Ponipate Loganimasi has also been added to the squad.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Pete Samu absence to provide extra motivation against Lions, says Toutai Kefu
The British and Irish Lions have been accused of preventing Pete Samu from appearing for the First Nations and Pasifika XV because they were scared of defeat in Tuesday's final midweek fixture. Samu has been withdrawn from the side comprising of players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage after it emerged that he did not fulfil strict eligibility criteria having only recently signed for the NSW Waratahs. The composite team replaced the Melbourne Rebels in the Lions' touring schedule after they entered administration and the terms of agreement for the game state only those currently attached to Super Rugby franchises can be selected. Australia number 8 Samu, who has spent the last two seasons at French club Bordeaux, was able to play for the AUNZ Invitational XV that faced the Lions in Adelaide last Saturday because that match operated under different terms. The Lions say they did not object to Samu's selection for Tuesday's showdown at Marvel Stadium but Rugby Australia are understood to dispute this. On the eve of the first Test in Brisbane, First Nations and Pasifika head coach Toutai Kefu said the row would provide his players with ammunition to cause a famous upset. "I'm absolutely gutted, I still can't believe that they would do it, complain about it, I suppose it is what it is, but it's extra motivation for our boys," Kefu said. "We're a team that's just been put together, we're facing a massive challenge as it is, so he (Samu) would have definitely strengthened us, there's no doubt about that. "They must have been worried we were going to win. I don't know why they would do it." RA is disappointed that Samu will not be in action in the fixture that takes place between the first and second Tests. "Pete Samu is a valued member of the Waratahs and has added greatly to the First Nations & Pasifika squad since entering camp. We had naturally hoped he would be playing in this fixture," an RA spokesperson said.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Pete Samu absence provides extra motivation, claims coach of Lions' opponents
Samu has been withdrawn from the side comprising of players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage after it emerged that he did not fulfil strict eligibility criteria having only recently signed for the NSW Waratahs. The composite team replaced the Melbourne Rebels in the Lions' touring schedule after they entered administration and the terms of agreement for the game state only those currently attached to Super Rugby franchises can be selected. Australia number eight Samu, who has spent the last two seasons at French club Bordeaux, was able to play for the AUNZ Invitational XV that faced the Lions in Adelaide last Saturday because that match operated under different terms. The Lions say they did not object to Samu's selection for Tuesday's showdown at Marvel Stadium but Rugby Australia are understood to dispute this. On the eve of the first Test in Brisbane, First Nations and Pasifika head coach Toutai Kefu said the row would provide his players with ammunition to cause a famous upset. 'I'm absolutely gutted, I still can't believe that they would do it, complain about it, I suppose it is what it is, but it's extra motivation for our boys,' Kefu said. 'We're a team that's just been put together, we're facing a massive challenge as it is, so he (Samu) would have definitely strengthened us, there's no doubt about that. 'They must have been worried we were going to win. I don't know why they would do it.' RA is disappointed that Samu will not be in action in the fixture that takes place between the first and second Tests. 'Pete Samu is a valued member of the Waratahs and has added greatly to the First Nations & Pasifika squad since entering camp. We had naturally hoped he would be playing in this fixture,' an RA spokesperson said.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Pete Samu absence provides extra motivation, claims coach of Lions' opponents
Samu has been withdrawn from the side comprising of players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage after it emerged that he did not fulfil strict eligibility criteria having only recently signed for the NSW Waratahs. The composite team replaced the Melbourne Rebels in the Lions' touring schedule after they entered administration and the terms of agreement for the game state only those currently attached to Super Rugby franchises can be selected. Australia number eight Samu, who has spent the last two seasons at French club Bordeaux, was able to play for the AUNZ Invitational XV that faced the Lions in Adelaide last Saturday because that match operated under different terms. The Lions say they did not object to Samu's selection for Tuesday's showdown at Marvel Stadium but Rugby Australia are understood to dispute this. On the eve of the first Test in Brisbane, First Nations and Pasifika head coach Toutai Kefu said the row would provide his players with ammunition to cause a famous upset. 'I'm absolutely gutted, I still can't believe that they would do it, complain about it, I suppose it is what it is, but it's extra motivation for our boys,' Kefu said. 'We're a team that's just been put together, we're facing a massive challenge as it is, so he (Samu) would have definitely strengthened us, there's no doubt about that. 'They must have been worried we were going to win. I don't know why they would do it.' RA is disappointed that Samu will not be in action in the fixture that takes place between the first and second Tests. 'Pete Samu is a valued member of the Waratahs and has added greatly to the First Nations & Pasifika squad since entering camp. We had naturally hoped he would be playing in this fixture,' an RA spokesperson said.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Pete Samu absence provides extra motivation, claims coach of Lions' opponents
The British and Irish Lions have been accused of preventing Pete Samu from appearing for the First Nations and Pasifika XV because they were scared of defeat in Tuesday's final midweek fixture. Samu has been withdrawn from the side comprising of players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage after it emerged that he did not fulfil strict eligibility criteria having only recently signed for the NSW Waratahs. The composite team replaced the Melbourne Rebels in the Lions' touring schedule after they entered administration and the terms of agreement for the game state only those currently attached to Super Rugby franchises can be selected. Australia number eight Samu, who has spent the last two seasons at French club Bordeaux, was able to play for the AUNZ Invitational XV that faced the Lions in Adelaide last Saturday because that match operated under different terms. The Lions say they did not object to Samu's selection for Tuesday's showdown at Marvel Stadium but Rugby Australia are understood to dispute this. On the eve of the first Test in Brisbane, First Nations and Pasifika head coach Toutai Kefu said the row would provide his players with ammunition to cause a famous upset. 'I'm absolutely gutted, I still can't believe that they would do it, complain about it, I suppose it is what it is, but it's extra motivation for our boys,' Kefu said. 'We're a team that's just been put together, we're facing a massive challenge as it is, so he (Samu) would have definitely strengthened us, there's no doubt about that. 'They must have been worried we were going to win. I don't know why they would do it.' RA is disappointed that Samu will not be in action in the fixture that takes place between the first and second Tests. 'Pete Samu is a valued member of the Waratahs and has added greatly to the First Nations & Pasifika squad since entering camp. We had naturally hoped he would be playing in this fixture,' an RA spokesperson said.
