Lions to face 14 test players in AUNZ line-up for tour match
A powerhouse back row featuring Hoskins Sotutu, Pete Samu and Shannon Frizell is bound to test the Lions at Adelaide Oval on Saturday in their final run out before the test series.
Two-cap All Black Folau Fakatava will link up with one-cap Wallaby Tane Edmed in the halves but there is plenty of test experience in a backline featuring centres Ngani Laumape and David Havili as well as winger Marika Koroibete.
Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and All Black Havili will co-captain the team, which has been coached by Les Kiss with the assistance of former New Zealand boss Ian Foster, Simon Cron and Zane Hilton.
"After speaking with all the players we thought the co-captaincy model with natural leaders like David and Lukhan would really suit this team and what we represent," said Kiss, who will take over from Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach next year.
"This week has been building nicely and the boys have put a lot of time into getting to know each other. In forming new bonds many of them have discovered they have more in common than they originally thought.
"We have named an experienced, powerful starting side for Saturday and we know our bench will make an impact when they get their opportunity."
The Lions have won their first four tour games against Australia's Super Rugby teams and also face a First Nations & Pasifika XV between the first test on July 19 in Brisbane and the second test a week later in Melbourne.
Team: 15–Shaun Stevenson, 14–AJ Lam, 13–Ngani Laumape, 12–David Havili, 11–Marika Koroibete, 10–Tane Edmed, 9–Folau Fakatava, 8–Hoskins Sotutu, 7–Pete Samu, 6–Shannon Frizell, 5–Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4–Angus Blyth, 3–Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1–Aidan Ross
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Tandy appointed as Wales coach
Steve Tandy has been appointed head coach of Wales and will lead the side into the 2027 World Cup in Australia, the Wales Rugby Union (WRU) said on Monday. The former British and Irish Lions coach will take charge from September 1, the WRU said in a statement.
CNA
7 hours ago
- CNA
Hometown boy Valetini hungry for Lions after enforced absence
BRISBANE :Wallabies loose forward Rob Valetini said he cannot wait to get stuck into the British & Irish Lions at the weekend with his return from injury all the sweeter for the fact the second test is in his hometown of Melbourne. In the absence of Valetini, Australia's best player for the last couple of years, the Wallabies were bullied off the park by the Lions in the first hour last Saturday before fighting back to lose the first test by eight points. Valetini and lock Will Skelton both missed the warm-up match against Fiji and the Brisbane test with calf injuries but are fit to bring a bit more bulk to Australia's pack for Saturday's clash at Melbourne Cricket Ground. "There's a lot of hunger to get out there, missing the last two games was quite hard for me after playing most Wallabies tests for the last two years," the 26-year-old told reporters in Melbourne on Monday. "The Lions only come along every 12 years and I'll be almost 40 next time they come. But more than that, it's the hunger for the jersey. "It'll be awesome, I'm Melbourne born and bred, I'll have all my family there and to play in front of them will be awesome." Valetini dismissed the idea that Australia's lack of physicality in the first half in Brisbane means he will be carrying a huge weight on his shoulders on Saturday. "I don't really feel pressure or anything like that," he said. "I feel like it's just another game of rugby, something I've been playing since I was young. I just want to go out there and do my job. Whether it's carrying or tackling, I just want to do my bit for the team." Lions coach Andy Farrell credited his powerful back row of Jack Conan, Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne with putting the tourists firmly on the front foot in Brisbane, and Valetini said he was looking forward to getting amongst them. "I was watching on the sidelines and all three were pretty involved, big boys and they did their jobs well," he said. "I was eager to get on the field, but couldn't. But yeah, that's the challenge for us this week, knowing what's coming and being prepared for it." There will also be a reunion for Valetini at the MCG when he comes up against another Melbourne-born player in Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu. "I played through all my grades growing up with Sione, he was the guy you wanted to be in rugby in Melbourne ... and I was pretty shocked when he had to leave (Australia)," Valetini said. "It's been a wild journey for him to be able to come back here and play for the Lions against us. It'll be pretty cool to play against him and I'll probably try and get one up on him." Prop James Slipper, who played in the second-test victory over the Lions in Melbourne which levelled up the 2013 series, said he was delighted to have Valetini back on board. "His size definitely helps," the 36-year-old grinned. "Nah, Bobby's a really good player, he gives a lot of boys around him a lot of confidence just the way he goes about his business."
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Hometown boy Valetini hungry for Lions after enforced absence
BRISBANE - Wallabies loose forward Rob Valetini said he cannot wait to get stuck into the British & Irish Lions at the weekend with his return from injury all the sweeter for the fact the second test is in his hometown of Melbourne. In the absence of Valetini, Australia's best player for the last couple of years, the Wallabies were bullied off the park by the Lions in the first hour last Saturday before fighting back to lose the first test by eight points. Valetini and lock Will Skelton both missed the warm-up match against Fiji and the Brisbane test with calf injuries but are fit to bring a bit more bulk to Australia's pack for Saturday's clash at Melbourne Cricket Ground. "There's a lot of hunger to get out there, missing the last two games was quite hard for me after playing most Wallabies tests for the last two years," the 26-year-old told reporters in Melbourne on Monday. "The Lions only come along every 12 years and I'll be almost 40 next time they come. But more than that, it's the hunger for the jersey. "It'll be awesome, I'm Melbourne born and bred, I'll have all my family there and to play in front of them will be awesome." Valetini dismissed the idea that Australia's lack of physicality in the first half in Brisbane means he will be carrying a huge weight on his shoulders on Saturday. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Asia Japan PM Ishiba apologises to his party for election loss, vows to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore distribution business Singapore Malaysia-bound motorists urged to avoid Tuas Second Link on July 23 due to chemical spill exercise Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod against cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition "I don't really feel pressure or anything like that," he said. "I feel like it's just another game of rugby, something I've been playing since I was young. I just want to go out there and do my job. Whether it's carrying or tackling, I just want to do my bit for the team." Lions coach Andy Farrell credited his powerful back row of Jack Conan, Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne with putting the tourists firmly on the front foot in Brisbane, and Valetini said he was looking forward to getting amongst them. "I was watching on the sidelines and all three were pretty involved, big boys and they did their jobs well," he said. "I was eager to get on the field, but couldn't. But yeah, that's the challenge for us this week, knowing what's coming and being prepared for it." There will also be a reunion for Valetini at the MCG when he comes up against another Melbourne-born player in Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu. "I played through all my grades growing up with Sione, he was the guy you wanted to be in rugby in Melbourne ... and I was pretty shocked when he had to leave (Australia)," Valetini said. "It's been a wild journey for him to be able to come back here and play for the Lions against us. It'll be pretty cool to play against him and I'll probably try and get one up on him." Prop James Slipper, who played in the second-test victory over the Lions in Melbourne which levelled up the 2013 series, said he was delighted to have Valetini back on board. "His size definitely helps," the 36-year-old grinned. "Nah, Bobby's a really good player, he gives a lot of boys around him a lot of confidence just the way he goes about his business." REUTERS
