Kiwi flavour, Wallabies hopes in 36-year rugby first
Kiss, who will take over from Joe Schmidt later next year, felt the full force of the Lions last Wednesday when his Queensland Reds led 12-7 but were trampled 52-12.
He's handed 10 of those men, including halves Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, another possible shot at the Lions as part of his AUNZ Invitational XV squad to play on Saturday in Adelaide.
But, unlike in the first and only combined side to play in 1989, there is a strong New Zealand flavour.
Blues hooker Kurt Eklund and Chiefs prop George Dyer were confirmed on Monday, joining Crusaders captain David Havili and fellow All Blacks Aidan Ross, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape and Shannon Frizell in the squad.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Marika Koroibete and Pete Samu had already been named while fringe Wallabies Angus Blyth, Darby Lancaster, Jock Campbell and Tane Edmed were among those Australians included for the Adelaide Oval clash.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Seru Uru, all genuine Wallabies chances to face the Lions later in the series, will push their cases in camp.
In all, 18 players with a combined 300 international caps of experience will trot out on Saturday to provide a stern test to the Lions, who will have met the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday.
Kiss will have the support of former All Blacks coach Ian Foster as well as Force boss Simon Cron and Reds assistant Zane Hilton.
"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 XV 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 Salakaia-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
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Port take aim at 'not great ground' after injury woes
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is still ruing a second night of carnage at the Gabba in four seasons, jokingly suggesting the Brisbane venue should be knocked down immediately. Power trio Sam Powell-Pepper, Esava Ratugolea and Dante Visentini have been ruled out for the rest of the AFL season after all suffered injuries in Saturday night's brave loss against reigning premiers Brisbane. Powell-Pepper requires a reconstruction on his left knee after suffering the same injury to his right knee in round eight last year. Defender Ratugolea will be sidelined by a hamstring tear and young ruckman Visentini by an ankle injury. In a tight loss against the Lions at the Gabba in 2022, Port also suffered four injuries after leading at three-quarter-time. "It's not a great ground, we're not going back there again," Hinkley quipped to reporters on Tuesday. "Can we change that ground? "When are they going to pull it down and build something there for the Olympics? "Sooner the better. Sorry, Brisbane." AFL games will be played at the Gabba until 2032 before the Lions move to the new stadium at Victoria Park that will host the Brisbane Olympics. Brisbane have had their own issues at their home ground with star defender Jack Payne recently suffering a season-ending knee injury at the ground. Forward Linc McCarthy ruptured his ACL for a second time in 12 months at the Gabba earlier this year, this time at training after hurting his knee during a chaotic game against Gold Coast in May 2024. In Brisbane's Opening Round match against Carlton last year, Lions defender Keidean Coleman and Blues veteran Sam Docherty both went down with serious knee injuries. Powell-Pepper underwent surgery on Monday, as the forward aims to play a role in Port's 2026 campaign. The loss against the Lions finished Port's chances of reaching the finals in Hinkley's last season as coach. "He's had his surgery, it's done," Hinkley said of Powell-Pepper. "He's such a great person, a powerful person. He'll get after his rehab. "My message to him was I look forward to see you playing your next game. "By the start of next season, he won't be far away, I wouldn't have thought, from playing football. "The mentoring stuff will come in the pre-season. "He does that naturally so it's not like he needs a new role and show his teammates why it's going to be good when he gets back." Forwards Ollie Lord and Jeremy Finlayson, who are both coming off five-goal hauls in the SANFL, will be considered for recalls against West Coast this Sunday. "We've played five debutants, we're always exploring our list, but we won't explore our list at the expense of our best performance," Hinkley said. "We're in the business of still winning football as much as we possibly can until the end of the year. "The club, the coaches are all on the same page with that." Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is still ruing a second night of carnage at the Gabba in four seasons, jokingly suggesting the Brisbane venue should be knocked down immediately. Power trio Sam Powell-Pepper, Esava Ratugolea and Dante Visentini have been ruled out for the rest of the AFL season after all suffered injuries in Saturday night's brave loss against reigning premiers Brisbane. Powell-Pepper requires a reconstruction on his left knee after suffering the same injury to his right knee in round eight last year. Defender Ratugolea will be sidelined by a hamstring tear and young ruckman Visentini by an ankle injury. In a tight loss against the Lions at the Gabba in 2022, Port also suffered four injuries after leading at three-quarter-time. "It's not a great ground, we're not going back there again," Hinkley quipped to reporters on Tuesday. "Can we change that ground? "When are they going to pull it down and build something there for the Olympics? "Sooner the better. Sorry, Brisbane." AFL games will be played at the Gabba until 2032 before the Lions move to the new stadium at Victoria Park that will host the Brisbane Olympics. Brisbane have had their own issues at their home ground with star defender Jack Payne recently suffering a season-ending knee injury at the ground. Forward Linc McCarthy ruptured his ACL for a second time in 12 months at the Gabba earlier this year, this time at training after hurting his knee during a chaotic game against Gold Coast in May 2024. In Brisbane's Opening Round match against Carlton last year, Lions defender Keidean Coleman and Blues veteran Sam Docherty both went down with serious knee injuries. Powell-Pepper underwent surgery on Monday, as the forward aims to play a role in Port's 2026 campaign. The loss against the Lions finished Port's chances of reaching the finals in Hinkley's last season as coach. "He's had his surgery, it's done," Hinkley said of Powell-Pepper. "He's such a great person, a powerful person. He'll get after his rehab. "My message to him was I look forward to see you playing your next game. "By the start of next season, he won't be far away, I wouldn't have thought, from playing football. "The mentoring stuff will come in the pre-season. "He does that naturally so it's not like he needs a new role and show his teammates why it's going to be good when he gets back." Forwards Ollie Lord and Jeremy Finlayson, who are both coming off five-goal hauls in the SANFL, will be considered for recalls against West Coast this Sunday. "We've played five debutants, we're always exploring our list, but we won't explore our list at the expense of our best performance," Hinkley said. "We're in the business of still winning football as much as we possibly can until the end of the year. "The club, the coaches are all on the same page with that." Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is still ruing a second night of carnage at the Gabba in four seasons, jokingly suggesting the Brisbane venue should be knocked down immediately. Power trio Sam Powell-Pepper, Esava Ratugolea and Dante Visentini have been ruled out for the rest of the AFL season after all suffered injuries in Saturday night's brave loss against reigning premiers Brisbane. Powell-Pepper requires a reconstruction on his left knee after suffering the same injury to his right knee in round eight last year. Defender Ratugolea will be sidelined by a hamstring tear and young ruckman Visentini by an ankle injury. In a tight loss against the Lions at the Gabba in 2022, Port also suffered four injuries after leading at three-quarter-time. "It's not a great ground, we're not going back there again," Hinkley quipped to reporters on Tuesday. "Can we change that ground? "When are they going to pull it down and build something there for the Olympics? "Sooner the better. Sorry, Brisbane." AFL games will be played at the Gabba until 2032 before the Lions move to the new stadium at Victoria Park that will host the Brisbane Olympics. Brisbane have had their own issues at their home ground with star defender Jack Payne recently suffering a season-ending knee injury at the ground. Forward Linc McCarthy ruptured his ACL for a second time in 12 months at the Gabba earlier this year, this time at training after hurting his knee during a chaotic game against Gold Coast in May 2024. In Brisbane's Opening Round match against Carlton last year, Lions defender Keidean Coleman and Blues veteran Sam Docherty both went down with serious knee injuries. Powell-Pepper underwent surgery on Monday, as the forward aims to play a role in Port's 2026 campaign. The loss against the Lions finished Port's chances of reaching the finals in Hinkley's last season as coach. "He's had his surgery, it's done," Hinkley said of Powell-Pepper. "He's such a great person, a powerful person. He'll get after his rehab. "My message to him was I look forward to see you playing your next game. "By the start of next season, he won't be far away, I wouldn't have thought, from playing football. "The mentoring stuff will come in the pre-season. "He does that naturally so it's not like he needs a new role and show his teammates why it's going to be good when he gets back." Forwards Ollie Lord and Jeremy Finlayson, who are both coming off five-goal hauls in the SANFL, will be considered for recalls against West Coast this Sunday. "We've played five debutants, we're always exploring our list, but we won't explore our list at the expense of our best performance," Hinkley said. "We're in the business of still winning football as much as we possibly can until the end of the year. "The club, the coaches are all on the same page with that."
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Port take aim at 'not great ground' after injury woes
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is still ruing a second night of carnage at the Gabba in four seasons, jokingly suggesting the Brisbane venue should be knocked down immediately. Power trio Sam Powell-Pepper, Esava Ratugolea and Dante Visentini have been ruled out for the rest of the AFL season after all suffered injuries in Saturday night's brave loss against reigning premiers Brisbane. Powell-Pepper requires a reconstruction on his left knee after suffering the same injury to his right knee in round eight last year. Defender Ratugolea will be sidelined by a hamstring tear and young ruckman Visentini by an ankle injury. In a tight loss against the Lions at the Gabba in 2022, Port also suffered four injuries after leading at three-quarter-time. "It's not a great ground, we're not going back there again," Hinkley quipped to reporters on Tuesday. "Can we change that ground? "When are they going to pull it down and build something there for the Olympics? "Sooner the better. Sorry, Brisbane." AFL games will be played at the Gabba until 2032 before the Lions move to the new stadium at Victoria Park that will host the Brisbane Olympics. Brisbane have had their own issues at their home ground with star defender Jack Payne recently suffering a season-ending knee injury at the ground. Forward Linc McCarthy ruptured his ACL for a second time in 12 months at the Gabba earlier this year, this time at training after hurting his knee during a chaotic game against Gold Coast in May 2024. In Brisbane's Opening Round match against Carlton last year, Lions defender Keidean Coleman and Blues veteran Sam Docherty both went down with serious knee injuries. Powell-Pepper underwent surgery on Monday, as the forward aims to play a role in Port's 2026 campaign. The loss against the Lions finished Port's chances of reaching the finals in Hinkley's last season as coach. "He's had his surgery, it's done," Hinkley said of Powell-Pepper. "He's such a great person, a powerful person. He'll get after his rehab. "My message to him was I look forward to see you playing your next game. "By the start of next season, he won't be far away, I wouldn't have thought, from playing football. "The mentoring stuff will come in the pre-season. "He does that naturally so it's not like he needs a new role and show his teammates why it's going to be good when he gets back." Forwards Ollie Lord and Jeremy Finlayson, who are both coming off five-goal hauls in the SANFL, will be considered for recalls against West Coast this Sunday. "We've played five debutants, we're always exploring our list, but we won't explore our list at the expense of our best performance," Hinkley said. "We're in the business of still winning football as much as we possibly can until the end of the year. "The club, the coaches are all on the same page with that."
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Perth Now
Mum Bencic hoping to follow Aussie trailblazers
The odds are against Belinda Bencic winning the Wimbledon women's singles, and not just because she is 35th in the rankings and faces the impressive seventh-seed Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals. She is also a mother, and only three mums have won a grand slam in the Open era. Even Serena Williams cold not do it, though she did reach four finals. Of the trio two are Australians: Margaret Court, who won the Australian, French and US Opens in 1973, and Evonne Goolagong Cawley whose 1980 Wimbledon crown came after she had given birth to daughter Kelly. The only player to do it since is Belgian Kim Clijsters, who triumphed in the US Open in 2009. Bencic, the Tokyo Olympic champion, gave birth to Bella in April 2024, which ruled her out of last year's Wimbledon. Returning as a mum appears to have helped as the 28-year-old had never reached a quarter-final here before, but has now done so, 11 years after her All England Club debut. She beat Russian 18th-seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 on Monday. Victory came with a break point having squandered five match points when serving at 5-3. Bencic said she was surprised how quickly she has found form since coming back on the tour, returning earlier than anticipated as felt so good on the practice court. "I think it's a result of the work we put in and also the mindset that I have now. I still want to win very badly." Bencic said travelling with a child on tour is still relatively easy while Bella is so young, but added: "I'm juggling it like every mum does. So, props to the mums." She subsequently clarified: "I'm really lucky I have a great support from all my family, especially my husband. I didn't want to say just mums who juggle, but also dads and parents in general. I want to make that clear." That juggling, she said, has meant learning to compromise, not easy for an elite athlete. "You have to be really prepared for not being able to do everything just have to let some things go. You have to compromise. "I don't practice as much as I used to. I still try to do the best on the practice court and on the match court. I feel like I am more productive because I have less time. "Then it's also really nice to spend time off the court and pretend that it's the real life, try to make the day as normal as possible and not hang out on-site all the time." Bencic's best result at a grand slam was reaching the 2019 US Open semi-finals. Andreeva powered her way into her first Wimbledon quarter-final with a 6-2 6-3 win over American 10th seed Emma Navarro , becoming the youngest player in the last eight of the women's singles since 2005. The 18-year-old looked at home on Centre Court, using her booming serve and power from the baseline to match the feat of compatriot Maria Sharapova in 2005 at the exact same age - 18 years and 62 days at the start of the tournament. Another Russian, Daria Kasatkina's conqueror Liudmila Samsonova, reached her first grand slam quarter-final by beating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-5 7-5. Samsonova, who has yet to drop a set this tournament, now meets former world No.1 Iga Swiatek. The Pole beat Dane Clara Tauson 6-4 6-1 in 65 minutes to reach her second Wimbledon quarter-final.
