Eight All Blacks from outside current squad included in AUNZ Invitational 15
Photo:
Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Eight All Blacks from outside Scott Robertson's current squad have been included in the AUNZ Invitational 15 to take on the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide on Saturday.
The All Blacks are Aidan Ross, David Havili, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ngani Laumape, Shannon Frizell and Shaun Stevenson.
Also in the 30-player squad are Chiefs prop George Dyer and Blues players AJ Lam, Kurt Eklund and Josh Fusitu'a.
Invitational head coach Les Kiss will lead the first combined Australia-New Zealand team since 1989 in what will be the Lions' final match before the test series against the Wallabies.
Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster is one of Kiss's assistants.
The Wallabies squeaked through their last match before the first test against the Lions in Brisbane on July 19, [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/566121/rugby-wallabies-strike-late-to-edge-fiji-but-lose-lolesio-to-concussion with a 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was disappointed after the win, saying there were too many errors from his players.
The Lions, meanwhile, ground out [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/566065/rugby-live-updates-waratahs-v-british-and-irish-lions a 21-10 win over the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday, their third successive victory on their Australian tour.
"There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to build this squad and it's exciting to see it come together," Kiss said.
"We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand.
"Each of them has a lot to play for and there's a real sense of anticipation about the unique opportunity in front of us.
"As the first AUNZ side to be assembled in 36 years, we have the chance to do something pretty special here in Adelaide."
AUNZ Invitational squad:
Aidan Ross, AJ Lam, Angus Blyth, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Daniel Botha, Darby Lancaster, David Havili, Folau Fakatava, George Dyer,
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Hoskins Sotutu,Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jock Campbell, Joe Brial, Joey Walton, Joshua Fusitu'a, Kalani Thomas, Kurt Eklund, Lachlan Anderson, Lukhan Salakai-Loto, Mac Grealy, Marika Koroibete, Matt Philip, Ngani Laumape, Pete Samu, Richie Asiata, Seru Uru, Shannon Frizell, Shaun Stevenson,
Tane Edmed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett ruled out of rest of France series with calf tear
Scott Barrett Photo: All Blacks captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out of the rest of test series against France with calf tear. More to come ... Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Rich-listers pull out of Western Springs Stadium project
Western Springs. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Auckland Football Club's rich-lister owners have pulled their proposal to take over Western Springs Stadium. The privately funded venue focused on football, Auckland Arena, was backed by entrepreneur Anna Mowbray, her husband, former All Black Ali Williams, American businessman Bill Foley, and New Zealander and NBA player Steven Adams. It was one of three options for the future of the stadium that went out for public consultation in May. Auckland Council's economic and cultural agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), earlier told councillors they favoured the Auckland Arena proposal. The decision comes just weeks after Mowbray and Williams' controversial resource consent application to build a helipad at their multi-million dollar Westmere property was approved. TAU chief executive Nick Hill told RNZ on Tuesday they were informed by the backers of the Auckland Arena concept for the stadium that they had withdrawn their submission to the expression of interest (EOI) process relating to the future use of the stadium. "We were disappointed to hear of the withdrawal of the Auckland Arena proposal. The EOI evaluation panel and our board had deemed it to be the most positive solution for Auckland. TAU was set to provide a recommendation to the council on which proposal to go ahead with at an upcoming meeting on 31 July. Hill said the TAU Board would put off advising councillors on the issue until after the city's local government elections in October. "Western Springs Stadium is a historic and valued asset with huge potential. We need to consider the public consultation feedback before deciding next steps. We are committed to making a recommendation that will deliver positive outcomes and provide certainty for Aucklanders." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Ma'a Nonu re-signs for another season with French club Toulon
Former All Black Ma'a Nonu. Photo: AFP All Blacks test centurion Ma'a Nonu has signed with French club Toulon for the 2025-26 season. The 43-year-old became the oldest player to participate in the Top 14 when he joined Toulon mid-season as an injury replacement in February. Nonu, who played 103 tests, has a lengthy rugby CV, having played for San Diego Legion in the United States' Major League Rugby competition, the Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders in Super Rugby and in Japan. He first joined Toulon after the 2015 World Cup, when his All Blacks career came to an end. Nonu played with Toulon until 2018 and then had another stint there in 2020-2021. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
