Latest news with #BrandonPaenga-Amosa
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Beale to lead, Wallaby absent for historic Lions clash
Kurtley Beale will captain the First Nations and Pasifika side against the British and Irish Lions while Pete Samu's absence has been confirmed for the Marvel Stadium clash. Beale, who has 96 Test caps, missed the Western Force's clash with the Lions due to a hamstring injury. But the 36-year-old is set to lead the first-of-its-kind side in Melbourne on Tuesday, 12 years after featuring for the Wallabies on the Lions' last visit. Fellow Test talents Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Lalakai Foketi and Filipo Daugunu are also set to suit up for the clash. But Samu, the former Brumbies star who's set to return from France to Australian rugby with the NSW Waratahs next season, will not join them. The versatile backrower featured in the AUNZ Invitational outfit earlier in the season and remains in Wallaby calculations amid a 15-Test calendar year. But, citing "rules and regulations" around the revised fixture that was created after the Melbourne Rebels were shut down last year, he was denied an encore by the Lions while he waits to team up with his next Super Rugby side, the Waratahs. It's understood the revised pre-tour agreement allowed the Lions to have final say on who was selected for the clash. The move comes after the Lions began the tour by calling out Rugby Australia for not releasing more Test talents to feature in tour games against the visitors. Having come to grips with the setback, coach and 60-Test Wallabies great Toutai Kefu is keen to "make history" against a Lions squad playing in between the Brisbane and Melbourne Tests. "The team has a really nice feel to it, with a blend of not only youth and experience, but also cultures," he said. "It's an opportunity for the players involved to press their cases forward for higher honours, so everyone will be keen to make an impression. "The Lions have shown how strong they are on this tour. "No matter who plays, they will be very hard to beat, but we're not here to make up the numbers. "We want to win this game and make history." First Nations and Pasifika: Lington Ieli, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Kalani Thomas, Kurtley Beale (c), Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Lalakai Foketi, Triston Reilly, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Richie Asiata, Marley Pearce, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Rob Leota, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Jarrah McLeod.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Beale to lead, Wallaby absent for historic Lions clash
Kurtley Beale will captain the First Nations and Pasifika side against the British and Irish Lions while Pete Samu's absence has been confirmed for the Marvel Stadium clash. Beale, who has 96 Test caps, missed the Western Force's clash with the Lions due to a hamstring injury. But the 36-year-old is set to lead the first-of-its-kind side in Melbourne on Tuesday, 12 years after featuring for the Wallabies on the Lions' last visit. Fellow Test talents Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Lalakai Foketi and Filipo Daugunu are also set to suit up for the clash. But Samu, the former Brumbies star who's set to return from France to Australian rugby with the NSW Waratahs next season, will not join them. The versatile backrower featured in the AUNZ Invitational outfit earlier in the season and remains in Wallaby calculations amid a 15-Test calendar year. But, citing "rules and regulations" around the revised fixture that was created after the Melbourne Rebels were shut down last year, he was denied an encore by the Lions while he waits to team up with his next Super Rugby side, the Waratahs. It's understood the revised pre-tour agreement allowed the Lions to have final say on who was selected for the clash. The move comes after the Lions began the tour by calling out Rugby Australia for not releasing more Test talents to feature in tour games against the visitors. Having come to grips with the setback, coach and 60-Test Wallabies great Toutai Kefu is keen to "make history" against a Lions squad playing in between the Brisbane and Melbourne Tests. "The team has a really nice feel to it, with a blend of not only youth and experience, but also cultures," he said. "It's an opportunity for the players involved to press their cases forward for higher honours, so everyone will be keen to make an impression. "The Lions have shown how strong they are on this tour. "No matter who plays, they will be very hard to beat, but we're not here to make up the numbers. "We want to win this game and make history." First Nations and Pasifika: Lington Ieli, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Kalani Thomas, Kurtley Beale (c), Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Lalakai Foketi, Triston Reilly, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Richie Asiata, Marley Pearce, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Rob Leota, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Jarrah McLeod.
The Advertiser
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Overlooked lock given another chance to push Test case
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will have another chance to push his case for Wallabies selection, with the lock included in the First Nations and Pasifika squad to face the touring Lions in Melbourne. After turning out in the AUNZ invitational side last Saturday, the Queensland lock said he was waiting by the phone if required by Test coach Joe Schmidt. Coach Toutai Kefu included four players from that disappointing 48-0 loss in Adelaide, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Pete Samu and Kalani Thomas also backing up. Dumped Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who is of Samoan heritage, will also get another chance after being left out of the squad for the first Test this Saturday in Brisbane. Fijian Drua forwards Mesake Doge and Mesake Vocevoce have been called into the squad as the first current Fijian internationals to face the Lions since the famous 1977 win. Former Australia Under-20 props Lington Ieli and Marley Pearce will get another shot at the tourists, while Brumbies No.8 Tuaina Taii Tualima joined previously named back-rowers Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Charlie Gamble. Halfbacks Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa and Harrison Goddard have been included, with Kurtley Beale and Jack Debreczeni set to share the flyhalf duties Star centres Lalakai Foketi and David Feliuai are among the backs named, alongside Brumbies flyer Andy Muirhead. In total, the group is made up of 20 players of Pasifika heritage and seven of First Nations heritage. "There is a nice blend of youth and experience within the group, with countries and territories represented across the Pacific and Indigenous Australia," Kefu said. "The players are aware at how big an opportunity this is to perform for their communities and grow the game of rugby. "We have seen how strong the Lions are in recent weeks. The coaching staff and all the players will be working as hard as possible to prepare for this match and try to pull off something special in Melbourne." Meanwhile, the Lions have added Scotland's Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham as injury cover for Tuesday night's match at Marvel Stadium. The three have been pulled from Scotland's squad in New Zealand ahead of their Test against Samoa in Auckland. Winger Graham arrived Monday after he drew two yellow cards and left Scotland a man down for the last part of their 29-14 loss to Fiji in Suva. Glasgow Warriors loosehead prop Sutherland, who played in two Tests on the previous Lions tour in South Africa, will join the camp in Melbourne later in the week along with Edinburgh hooker Ewan Ashman. FIRST NATIONS AND PASIFIKA XV SQUAD: Forwards: George Blake (Cook Islands), Mesake Doge (Fiji), Feao Fotuaika (Tonga), Lington Ieli (Fiji), Marley Pearce (Maori and First Nations), Richie Asiata (Samoa), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa and Maori), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa), Darcy Swain (Samoa), Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji), Seru Uru (Fiji), Charlie Gamble (Tonga), Rob Leota (Samoa), Pete Samu (Samoa), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa) Backs: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Fiji), Harrison Goddard (First Nations), Kalani Thomas (Maori), Kurtley Beale (First Nations), Jack Debreczeni (Cook Islands), David Feliuai (Samoa), Lalakai Foketi (Tongan and Maori), Isaac Henry (First Nations), Jarrah McLeod (First Nations), Andy Muirhead (First Nations), Kye Oates (First Nations), Triston Reilly (First Nations) Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will have another chance to push his case for Wallabies selection, with the lock included in the First Nations and Pasifika squad to face the touring Lions in Melbourne. After turning out in the AUNZ invitational side last Saturday, the Queensland lock said he was waiting by the phone if required by Test coach Joe Schmidt. Coach Toutai Kefu included four players from that disappointing 48-0 loss in Adelaide, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Pete Samu and Kalani Thomas also backing up. Dumped Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who is of Samoan heritage, will also get another chance after being left out of the squad for the first Test this Saturday in Brisbane. Fijian Drua forwards Mesake Doge and Mesake Vocevoce have been called into the squad as the first current Fijian internationals to face the Lions since the famous 1977 win. Former Australia Under-20 props Lington Ieli and Marley Pearce will get another shot at the tourists, while Brumbies No.8 Tuaina Taii Tualima joined previously named back-rowers Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Charlie Gamble. Halfbacks Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa and Harrison Goddard have been included, with Kurtley Beale and Jack Debreczeni set to share the flyhalf duties Star centres Lalakai Foketi and David Feliuai are among the backs named, alongside Brumbies flyer Andy Muirhead. In total, the group is made up of 20 players of Pasifika heritage and seven of First Nations heritage. "There is a nice blend of youth and experience within the group, with countries and territories represented across the Pacific and Indigenous Australia," Kefu said. "The players are aware at how big an opportunity this is to perform for their communities and grow the game of rugby. "We have seen how strong the Lions are in recent weeks. The coaching staff and all the players will be working as hard as possible to prepare for this match and try to pull off something special in Melbourne." Meanwhile, the Lions have added Scotland's Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham as injury cover for Tuesday night's match at Marvel Stadium. The three have been pulled from Scotland's squad in New Zealand ahead of their Test against Samoa in Auckland. Winger Graham arrived Monday after he drew two yellow cards and left Scotland a man down for the last part of their 29-14 loss to Fiji in Suva. Glasgow Warriors loosehead prop Sutherland, who played in two Tests on the previous Lions tour in South Africa, will join the camp in Melbourne later in the week along with Edinburgh hooker Ewan Ashman. FIRST NATIONS AND PASIFIKA XV SQUAD: Forwards: George Blake (Cook Islands), Mesake Doge (Fiji), Feao Fotuaika (Tonga), Lington Ieli (Fiji), Marley Pearce (Maori and First Nations), Richie Asiata (Samoa), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa and Maori), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa), Darcy Swain (Samoa), Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji), Seru Uru (Fiji), Charlie Gamble (Tonga), Rob Leota (Samoa), Pete Samu (Samoa), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa) Backs: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Fiji), Harrison Goddard (First Nations), Kalani Thomas (Maori), Kurtley Beale (First Nations), Jack Debreczeni (Cook Islands), David Feliuai (Samoa), Lalakai Foketi (Tongan and Maori), Isaac Henry (First Nations), Jarrah McLeod (First Nations), Andy Muirhead (First Nations), Kye Oates (First Nations), Triston Reilly (First Nations) Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will have another chance to push his case for Wallabies selection, with the lock included in the First Nations and Pasifika squad to face the touring Lions in Melbourne. After turning out in the AUNZ invitational side last Saturday, the Queensland lock said he was waiting by the phone if required by Test coach Joe Schmidt. Coach Toutai Kefu included four players from that disappointing 48-0 loss in Adelaide, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Pete Samu and Kalani Thomas also backing up. Dumped Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who is of Samoan heritage, will also get another chance after being left out of the squad for the first Test this Saturday in Brisbane. Fijian Drua forwards Mesake Doge and Mesake Vocevoce have been called into the squad as the first current Fijian internationals to face the Lions since the famous 1977 win. Former Australia Under-20 props Lington Ieli and Marley Pearce will get another shot at the tourists, while Brumbies No.8 Tuaina Taii Tualima joined previously named back-rowers Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Charlie Gamble. Halfbacks Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa and Harrison Goddard have been included, with Kurtley Beale and Jack Debreczeni set to share the flyhalf duties Star centres Lalakai Foketi and David Feliuai are among the backs named, alongside Brumbies flyer Andy Muirhead. In total, the group is made up of 20 players of Pasifika heritage and seven of First Nations heritage. "There is a nice blend of youth and experience within the group, with countries and territories represented across the Pacific and Indigenous Australia," Kefu said. "The players are aware at how big an opportunity this is to perform for their communities and grow the game of rugby. "We have seen how strong the Lions are in recent weeks. The coaching staff and all the players will be working as hard as possible to prepare for this match and try to pull off something special in Melbourne." Meanwhile, the Lions have added Scotland's Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham as injury cover for Tuesday night's match at Marvel Stadium. The three have been pulled from Scotland's squad in New Zealand ahead of their Test against Samoa in Auckland. Winger Graham arrived Monday after he drew two yellow cards and left Scotland a man down for the last part of their 29-14 loss to Fiji in Suva. Glasgow Warriors loosehead prop Sutherland, who played in two Tests on the previous Lions tour in South Africa, will join the camp in Melbourne later in the week along with Edinburgh hooker Ewan Ashman. FIRST NATIONS AND PASIFIKA XV SQUAD: Forwards: George Blake (Cook Islands), Mesake Doge (Fiji), Feao Fotuaika (Tonga), Lington Ieli (Fiji), Marley Pearce (Maori and First Nations), Richie Asiata (Samoa), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa and Maori), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa), Darcy Swain (Samoa), Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji), Seru Uru (Fiji), Charlie Gamble (Tonga), Rob Leota (Samoa), Pete Samu (Samoa), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa) Backs: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Fiji), Harrison Goddard (First Nations), Kalani Thomas (Maori), Kurtley Beale (First Nations), Jack Debreczeni (Cook Islands), David Feliuai (Samoa), Lalakai Foketi (Tongan and Maori), Isaac Henry (First Nations), Jarrah McLeod (First Nations), Andy Muirhead (First Nations), Kye Oates (First Nations), Triston Reilly (First Nations)
Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Overlooked lock given another chance to push Test case
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will get another chance to push his case for Wallabies selection, with the lock included in the First Nations and Pasifika squad to face the touring Lions in Melbourne. After turning out in the AUNZ invitational side last Saturday, the Queensland lock said he was waiting by the phone if required by Test coach Joe Schmidt. Coach Toutai Kefu included four players from that disappointing 48-0 loss in Adelaide, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Pete Samu and Kalani Thomas also backing up. Dumped Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who is of Samoan heritage, will also get another chance after being left out of the squad for the first Test this Saturday in Brisbane. Fijian Drua forwards Mesake Doge and Mesake Vocevoce have been called into the squad as the first current Fijian internationals to face the Lions since the famous 1977 win. Former Australia Under-20 props Lington Ieli and Marley Pearce will get another shot at the tourists, while Brumbies No.8 Tuaina Taii Tualima joined previously named back-rowers Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Charlie Gamble. Halfbacks Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa and Harrison Goddard have been included, with Kurtley Beale and Jack Debreczeni set to share the flyhalf duties Star centres Lalakai Foketi and David Feliuai are among the backs named, alongside Brumbies flyer Andy Muirhead. In total, the group is made up of 20 players of Pasifika heritage and seven of First Nations heritage. "There is a nice blend of youth and experience within the group, with countries and territories represented across the Pacific and Indigenous Australia," Kefu said. "The players are aware at how big an opportunity this is to perform for their communities and grow the game of rugby. "We have seen how strong the Lions are in recent weeks. The coaching staff and all the players will be working as hard as possible to prepare for this match and try to pull off something special in Melbourne." FIRST NATIONS AND PASIFIKA XV SQUAD: Forwards: George Blake (Cook Islands), Mesake Doge (Fiji), Feao Fotuaika (Tonga), Lington Ieli (Fiji), Marley Pearce (Maori and First Nations), Richie Asiata (Samoa), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa and Maori), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa), Darcy Swain (Samoa), Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji), Seru Uru (Fiji), Charlie Gamble (Tonga), Rob Leota (Samoa), Pete Samu (Samoa), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa) Backs: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Fiji), Harrison Goddard (First Nations), Kalani Thomas (Maori), Kurtley Beale (First Nations), Jack Debreczeni (Cook Islands), David Feliuai (Samoa), Lalakai Foketi (Tongan and Maori), Isaac Henry (First Nations), Jarrah McLeod (First Nations), Andy Muirhead (First Nations), Kye Oates (First Nations), Triston Reilly (First Nations)
West Australian
07-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Western Force's Simon Cron, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy named in AUNZ invitational side
Having already impressed against the British and Irish Lions, a pair of Western Force starters — and their coach — will get a chance at an encore in Adelaide this week. Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy will be the Force representatives named in the AUNZ squad to face the Lions at Adelaide Oval on Saturday in their final tune-up before the Wallabies Tests begin. Force coach Simon Cron will also serve as an assistant to departing Reds and incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss. The AUNZ invitational squad, which features players from both Australia and New Zealand, was officially unveiled today following the drip-feeding of several members over the past month. Hooker Paenga-Amosa, who had an injury-affected first season out west, showed his class against the Lions in the Force's clash with them at Optus Stadium. The Wallabies front-rower helped the Force turn the tables on the Lions' scrum and after he missed out on selection for Australia's squad to face Fiji, Paenga-Amosa will have another chance to catch Joe Schmidt's eye. Grealy's selection comes after his impressive showing against the Lions, where he repeatedly threatened with the ball in hand. The outside back finished the match with a team-high 71 carry metres and nine broken tackles. Eight All Blacks have been named in the 30-man squad, and a host of Super Rugby Pacific-based Kiwi stars have also been included, such as Hoskins Sotutu. There are also nine former Wallabies in the side, including Darcy Lancaster, who impressed for the Waratahs against the Lions over the weekend and has been linked with a move to the Force. Two-time John Eales Medalist Marika Koroibete has flown in from Japan for the game after the winger struggled to impress Schmidt for the Wallabies last year.
