Latest news with #KalaniThomas
1News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- 1News
David Havili among 8 NZers in squad to face British and Irish Lions
Crusaders' Super Rugby title-winning captain David Havili has been selected among the New Zealand contingent for the invitational AUNZ squad to face the British and Irish Lions on Saturday. The full squad of Australians and New Zealanders for Saturday's tour game in Adelaide was confirmed by coach Les Kiss on Monday and will feature a core of players from his Queensland Reds franchise. Halves pairing Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips were involved when the Reds lost 52-12 last week in Brisbane after leading the Lions 12-7 early in the first half. This is the first time since 1989 that a combined squad of Australians and New Zealanders will take on the touring Lions lineup, which contains players from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. Havili, Blues hooker Kurt Eklund and Chiefs prop George Dyer will join All Blacks Aidan Ross, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape and Shannon Frizell in the squad. ADVERTISEMENT Marika Koroibete, Pete Samu, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip and Seru Uru are experienced Wallabies included in the invitational squad. Kiss will be joined on the coaching team by former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, Western Force coach Simon Cron and Reds assistant Zane Hilton. "We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand," Kiss said. "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." Jack Conan of the British & Irish Lions runs at the defence during their game against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Source: Associated Press) The Lions are 3-0 since a 28-24 loss to Argentina in a warmup in Dublin before the traveling Down Under for their nine-game tour, which includes three Tests against the Wallabies on July 19, 26 and Aug. 2. After wins over Western Force in Perth, Queensland Reds in Brisbane and New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney, the Lions will play the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday before taking on the AUNZ squad in their final preparation for the Test series. Australia opened its international season with a 21-18 comeback win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, a day after New Zealand held off France 31-27 in Dunedin. AUNZ 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.
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Crusaders captain David Havili picked for AUNZ squad to face British and Irish Lions
ADELAIDE, Australia — Crusaders' Super Rugby title-winning captain David Havili has been selected among the New Zealand contingent for the invitational AUNZ squad to face the British and Irish Lions on Saturday. Crusaders captain David Havili picked for AUNZ squad to face British and Irish Lions The full squad of Australians and New Zealanders for Saturday's tour game in Adelaide was confirmed by coach Les Kiss on Monday, and will feature a core of players from his Queensland Reds franchise. Halves pairing Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips were involved when the Reds lost 52-12 last week in Brisbane after leading the Lions 12-7 early in the first half. This is the first time since 1989 that a combined squad of Australians and New Zealanders will take on the touring Lions lineup, which contains players from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. Havili, Blues hooker Kurt Eklund and Chiefs prop George Dyer will join All Blacks Aidan Ross, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape and Shannon Frizell in the squad. Marika Koroibete, Pete Samu, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip and Seru Uru are experienced Wallabies included in the invitational squad. Kiss will be joined on the coaching team by former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, Western Force coach Simon Cron and Reds assistant Zane Hilton. 'We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand," Kiss said. "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.' The Lions are 3-0 since a 28-24 loss to Argentina in a warmup in Dublin before the traveling Down Under for their nine-game tour, which includes three tests against the Wallabies on July 19, 26 and Aug. 2. After wins over Western Force in Perth, Queensland Reds in Brisbane and New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney, the Lions will play the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday before taking on the AUNZ squad in their final preparation for the test series. Australia opened its international season with a 21-18 comeback win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, a day after New Zealand held off France 31-27 in Dunedin. AUNZ 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. rugby: /hub/rugby This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Advertiser
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Kiwi flavour, Wallabies hopes in 36-year rugby first
Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss has shared the love in finalising the trans-Tasman squad he hopes can "do something special" against the British & Irish Lions ahead of the first Test. 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. Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss has shared the love in finalising the trans-Tasman squad he hopes can "do something special" against the British & Irish Lions ahead of the first Test. 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. Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss has shared the love in finalising the trans-Tasman squad he hopes can "do something special" against the British & Irish Lions ahead of the first Test. 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.
Hamilton Spectator
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Crusaders captain David Havili picked for AUNZ squad to face British and Irish Lions
ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Crusaders' Super Rugby title-winning captain David Havili has been selected among the New Zealand contingent for the invitational AUNZ squad to face the British and Irish Lions on Saturday. The full squad of Australians and New Zealanders for Saturday's tour game in Adelaide was confirmed by coach Les Kiss on Monday, and will feature a core of players from his Queensland Reds franchise. Halves pairing Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips were involved when the Reds lost 52-12 last week in Brisbane after leading the Lions 12-7 early in the first half. This is the first time since 1989 that a combined squad of Australians and New Zealanders will take on the touring Lions lineup, which contains players from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. Havili, Blues hooker Kurt Eklund and Chiefs prop George Dyer will join All Blacks Aidan Ross, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape and Shannon Frizell in the squad. Marika Koroibete, Pete Samu, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip and Seru Uru are experienced Wallabies included in the invitational squad. Kiss will be joined on the coaching team by former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, Western Force coach Simon Cron and Reds assistant Zane Hilton. 'We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand,' Kiss said. '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.' The Lions are 3-0 since a 28-24 loss to Argentina in a warmup in Dublin before the traveling Down Under for their nine-game tour, which includes three tests against the Wallabies on July 19, 26 and Aug. 2. After wins over Western Force in Perth, Queensland Reds in Brisbane and New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney, the Lions will play the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday before taking on the AUNZ squad in their final preparation for the test series. Australia opened its international season with a 21-18 comeback win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, a day after New Zealand held off France 31-27 in Dunedin. ___ AUNZ 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. ___ AP rugby:
San Francisco Chronicle
07-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Crusaders captain David Havili picked for AUNZ squad to face British and Irish Lions
ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Crusaders' Super Rugby title-winning captain David Havili has been selected among the New Zealand contingent for the invitational AUNZ squad to face the British and Irish Lions on Saturday. The full squad of Australians and New Zealanders for Saturday's tour game in Adelaide was confirmed by coach Les Kiss on Monday, and will feature a core of players from his Queensland Reds franchise. Halves pairing Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips were involved when the Reds lost 52-12 last week in Brisbane after leading the Lions 12-7 early in the first half. This is the first time since 1989 that a combined squad of Australians and New Zealanders will take on the touring Lions lineup, which contains players from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. Havili, Blues hooker Kurt Eklund and Chiefs prop George Dyer will join All Blacks Aidan Ross, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape and Shannon Frizell in the squad. Marika Koroibete, Pete Samu, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip and Seru Uru are experienced Wallabies included in the invitational squad. Kiss will be joined on the coaching team by former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, Western Force coach Simon Cron and Reds assistant Zane Hilton. 'We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand," Kiss said. "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.' The Lions are 3-0 since a 28-24 loss to Argentina in a warmup in Dublin before the traveling Down Under for their nine-game tour, which includes three tests against the Wallabies on July 19, 26 and Aug. 2. After wins over Western Force in Perth, Queensland Reds in Brisbane and New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney, the Lions will play the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday before taking on the AUNZ squad in their final preparation for the test series. Australia opened its international season with a 21-18 comeback win over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, a day after New Zealand held off France 31-27 in Dunedin. AUNZ 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.
