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British and Irish Lions 2025: Kurtley Beale's advice to Wallabies after First Nations and Pasifika side almost produced historic upset
British and Irish Lions 2025: Kurtley Beale's advice to Wallabies after First Nations and Pasifika side almost produced historic upset

Sydney Morning Herald

time23-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Sydney Morning Herald

British and Irish Lions 2025: Kurtley Beale's advice to Wallabies after First Nations and Pasifika side almost produced historic upset

Kefu said the week was a joyous one of bringing many cultures together, and understanding the different – and shared – backgrounds. But he also said the team had been motivated by the treatment of Samu, who was selected for the team and trained early on, but had to withdraw after the Lions used their veto power to oppose him playing. Garry Ringrose of the British & Irish Lions charges upfield. Credit: Getty Images The agreement struck between RA and the Lions was Super Rugby players would be used in the FNP squad, and the Lions argued Samu didn't qualify given he has just returned from Bordeaux. RA argued Samu qualified given he has since joined the Waratahs. Samu, who has Tongan heritage and was raised in Melbourne, stayed with the squad and ran water last night at Marvel. A section of the crowd had Samu face masks. 'Pete was originally down to play number eight and he'd already trained a few sessions with us, so to see the way he was displaced, I think was pretty poor,' Kefu said. Pete Samu wearing the First Nations & Pasifika team kit. Credit: Getty Images for Rugby Australia 'Pete was fantastic, he got on with it, he was keen to hang around and help the boys prepare and the boys really felt for him.' Kefu said Samu would have a big difference to the strength of the FNP side. 'The young kid (Tuaina Taii Tualima) that took his spot, he's got a big future, but Pete Samu is an experienced campaigner,' Kefu said. 'He's hungry and motivated to get back into the Wallaby jersey. He would have been great for us.' Loading Asked if he felt disrespected by the Lions over the Samu situation, Kefu said it was a backhanded compliment. 'I think more respected because they didn't want him to play. So removing him would certainly de-power our team, so I thought they had a high level of respect for him.' Lions coach Andy Farrell, who had previously washed his hands of the Samu veto, said the side had expected an emotional response from the FNP team. 'Do you know what, it's all well and good talking that type of situation up but when the whistle goes, you're just into it and that's what you'd expect from those guys,' he said. 'They're passionate people, proud of who they're representing and they were certainly a handful, physically this evening so again, fair play to them.' Kefu said he would find a place for Salakaia-Loto and Taniela Tupou in the Wallabies squad after their powerhouse performances. All nine matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.

‘Take it to them head on': Veteran's advice to Wallabies after almost shocking Lions
‘Take it to them head on': Veteran's advice to Wallabies after almost shocking Lions

Sydney Morning Herald

time22-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Sydney Morning Herald

‘Take it to them head on': Veteran's advice to Wallabies after almost shocking Lions

Kefu said the week was a joyous one of bringing many cultures together, and understanding the different – and shared – backgrounds. But he also said the team had been motivated by the treatment of Samu, who was selected for the team and trained early on, but had to withdraw after the Lions used their veto power to oppose him playing. The agreement struck between RA and the Lions was Super Rugby players would be used in the FNP squad, and the Lions argued Samu didn't qualify given he has just returned from Bordeaux. RA argued Samu qualified given he has since joined the Waratahs. Samu, who has Tongan heritage and was raised in Melbourne, stayed with the squad and ran water last night at Marvel. A section of the crowd had Samu face masks. 'Pete was originally down to play number eight and he'd already trained a few sessions with us, so to see the way he was displaced, I think was pretty poor,' Kefu said. 'Pete was fantastic, he got on with it, he was keen to hang around and help the boys prepare and the boys really felt for him.' Kefu said Samu would have a big difference to the strength of the FNP side. 'The young kid (Tuaina Taii Tualima) that took his spot, he's got a big future, but Pete Samu is an experienced campaigner,' Kefu said. 'He's hungry and motivated to get back into the Wallaby jersey. He would have been great for us.' Loading Asked if he felt disrespected by the Lions over the Samu situation, Kefu said it was a backhanded compliment. 'I think more respected because they didn't want him to play. So removing him would certainly de-power our team, so I thought they had a high level of respect for him.' Lions coach Andy Farrell, who had previously washed his hands of the Samu veto, said the side had expected an emotional response from the FNP team. 'Do you know what, it's all well and good talking that type of situation up but when the whistle goes, you're just into it and that's what you'd expect from those guys,' he said. 'They're passionate people, proud of who they're representing and they were certainly a handful, physically this evening so again, fair play to them.' Kefu said he would find a place for Salakaia-Loto and Taniela Tupou in the Wallabies squad after their powerhouse performances.

‘Take it to them head on': Veteran's advice to Wallabies after almost shocking Lions
‘Take it to them head on': Veteran's advice to Wallabies after almost shocking Lions

The Age

time22-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Age

‘Take it to them head on': Veteran's advice to Wallabies after almost shocking Lions

Kefu said the week was a joyous one of bringing many cultures together, and understanding the different – and shared – backgrounds. But he also said the team had been motivated by the treatment of Samu, who was selected for the team and trained early on, but had to withdraw after the Lions used their veto power to oppose him playing. The agreement struck between RA and the Lions was Super Rugby players would be used in the FNP squad, and the Lions argued Samu didn't qualify given he has just returned from Bordeaux. RA argued Samu qualified given he has since joined the Waratahs. Samu, who has Tongan heritage and was raised in Melbourne, stayed with the squad and ran water last night at Marvel. A section of the crowd had Samu face masks. 'Pete was originally down to play number eight and he'd already trained a few sessions with us, so to see the way he was displaced, I think was pretty poor,' Kefu said. 'Pete was fantastic, he got on with it, he was keen to hang around and help the boys prepare and the boys really felt for him.' Kefu said Samu would have a big difference to the strength of the FNP side. 'The young kid (Tuaina Taii Tualima) that took his spot, he's got a big future, but Pete Samu is an experienced campaigner,' Kefu said. 'He's hungry and motivated to get back into the Wallaby jersey. He would have been great for us.' Loading Asked if he felt disrespected by the Lions over the Samu situation, Kefu said it was a backhanded compliment. 'I think more respected because they didn't want him to play. So removing him would certainly de-power our team, so I thought they had a high level of respect for him.' Lions coach Andy Farrell, who had previously washed his hands of the Samu veto, said the side had expected an emotional response from the FNP team. 'Do you know what, it's all well and good talking that type of situation up but when the whistle goes, you're just into it and that's what you'd expect from those guys,' he said. 'They're passionate people, proud of who they're representing and they were certainly a handful, physically this evening so again, fair play to them.' Kefu said he would find a place for Salakaia-Loto and Taniela Tupou in the Wallabies squad after their powerhouse performances.

Rugby-Kefu calls on Wallabies forwards to go beserk against Lions
Rugby-Kefu calls on Wallabies forwards to go beserk against Lions

The Star

time18-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Star

Rugby-Kefu calls on Wallabies forwards to go beserk against Lions

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool B - Tonga v Romania - Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France - October 8, 2023 Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu looks on during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Wallabies icon Toutai Kefu has called on Australia's forwards to bring fire and fury in the series-opener against the British & Irish Lions and defy the doomsayers tipping a 3-0 whitewash for the hosts. Joe Schmidt's Wallabies head to Brisbane's Lang Park on Saturday missing key players through injury and face a formidable Lions outfit that has won all five tour matches in the country. However, former Australia number eight Kefu, who played in the 2-1 series win over the Lions in 2001, says the Wallabies have all the ammunition they need to upset Andy Farrell's team. "The biggest motivating factor for these players are they are huge underdogs," Kefu told Reuters. "The Lions haven't been beaten on our soil yet. They've pretty much manhandled most of our teams. "What bigger motivation as a player, to play one of the most iconic teams in the world who are on a huge roll and everyone's expecting you to lose? What bigger motivation can you have? "As a player, you would just go crazy and absolutely go mental, wouldn't you?" The Wallabies are missing their chief enforcer in loose forward Rob Valetini, ruled out with a calf injury. Uncapped flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny has big shoes to fill in place of Valetini in the back row. Never one to take a backwards step in his 60-test playing career, Kefu encouraged De Crespigny to live up to the billing of his teammate Fraser McReight, who praised the new boy as a "psycho" in the contest. "That's what we need," said Kefu. "We need eight psychos up front, absolute lunatics. That's the way we need to approach the game -- without being too crazy and giving away penalties. "We need to go a little bit mental." Kefu will face the Lions from the coach's box on Tuesday when he guides the First Nations-Pasifika XV in a tour match at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium. Kefu's preparations suffered a late blow with former Wallabies loose forward Pete Samu, who has Samoan heritage, ruled out of the match due to an eligibility problem. Kefu said the Lions' management had objected to Samu's selection despite representations made by Rugby Australia (RA). A Lions spokesperson said only eligible players, as agreed by both sides as part of the tour agreement, could play in the game. An RA spokesperson said the governing body had hoped Samu would play. The selection wrangle comes a few weeks after Lions chief executive Ben Calveley demanded Australia field their most competitive teams to help the tourists prepare for the Wallabies series, and for "fans, partners and broadcasters". A disappointed Kefu said he was surprised the Lions would insist on Samu's omission. "Bloody hell, I thought they would have wanted the strongest competition," added the 51-year-old. "He really wanted to play as well. He would have started for us." (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Sharon Singleton)

Kefu calls on Wallabies forwards to go berserk against Lions
Kefu calls on Wallabies forwards to go berserk against Lions

Straits Times

time18-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Straits Times

Kefu calls on Wallabies forwards to go berserk against Lions

Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool B - Tonga v Romania - Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France - October 8, 2023 Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu looks on during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo MELBOURNE - Wallabies icon Toutai Kefu has called on Australia's forwards to bring fire and fury in the series-opener against the British & Irish Lions and defy the doomsayers tipping a 3-0 whitewash for the hosts. Joe Schmidt's Wallabies head to Brisbane's Lang Park on Saturday missing key players through injury and face a formidable Lions outfit that has won all five tour matches in the country. However, former Australia number eight Kefu, who played in the 2-1 series win over the Lions in 2001, says the Wallabies have all the ammunition they need to upset Andy Farrell's team. "The biggest motivating factor for these players are they are huge underdogs," Kefu told Reuters. "The Lions haven't been beaten on our soil yet. They've pretty much manhandled most of our teams. "What bigger motivation as a player, to play one of the most iconic teams in the world who are on a huge roll and everyone's expecting you to lose? What bigger motivation can you have? "As a player, you would just go crazy and absolutely go mental, wouldn't you?" Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore Residents in South West District get help to improve employability, find career opportunities Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore UOB awarded $17.7m in civil suit against Lippo Marina Collection over inflated housing loans Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore in Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs Asia Lightning strikes kill 33 people in eastern India The Wallabies are missing their chief enforcer in loose forward Rob Valetini, ruled out with a calf injury. Uncapped flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny has big shoes to fill in place of Valetini in the back row. Never one to take a backwards step in his 60-test playing career, Kefu encouraged De Crespigny to live up to the billing of his teammate Fraser McReight, who praised the new boy as a "psycho" in the contest. "That's what we need," said Kefu. "We need eight psychos up front, absolute lunatics. That's the way we need to approach the game -- without being too crazy and giving away penalties. "We need to go a little bit mental." Kefu will face the Lions from the coach's box on Tuesday when he guides the First Nations-Pasifika XV in a tour match at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium. Kefu's preparations suffered a late blow with former Wallabies loose forward Pete Samu, who has Samoan heritage, ruled out of the match due to an eligibility problem. Kefu said the Lions' management had objected to Samu's selection despite representations made by Rugby Australia (RA). A Lions spokesperson said only eligible players, as agreed by both sides as part of the tour agreement, could play in the game. An RA spokesperson said the governing body had hoped Samu would play. The selection wrangle comes a few weeks after Lions chief executive Ben Calveley demanded Australia field their most competitive teams to help the tourists prepare for the Wallabies series, and for "fans, partners and broadcasters". A disappointed Kefu said he was surprised the Lions would insist on Samu's omission. "Bloody hell, I thought they would have wanted the strongest competition," added the 51-year-old. "He really wanted to play as well. He would have started for us." REUTERS

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