Lions block Wallaby from playing in First Nations & Pasifika XV

5 hours ago 3

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The British and Irish Lions have refused to allow Waratahs and Wallabies backrower Pete Samu to represent the First Nations and Pasifika XV next Tuesday in Melbourne because he did not play Super Rugby this season.

Samu won the European Cup with Bordeaux in May and then joined the Waratahs in the same month. The demand comes three weeks after British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley pressurised Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt to release his squad to Super Rugby sides to ensure a competitive build-up ahead of the Test matches.

Sources with knowledge of the Lions’ demand but not authorised to speak publicly said that Samu was told the news yesterday in Melbourne and was offered the opportunity to leave the First Nations and Pasifika XV, but requested to stay with the squad. Samu’s teammates were told on Friday morning at training.

The First Nations & Pasifika XV fixture in Melbourne was created after the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels last May and will be the first time a team of this nature has played the British and Irish Lions in Australia.

Because the original tour agreement signed between Rugby Australia and the Lions organisation initially had the Rebels fixture in it, the need to change to an alternative team after the Rebels’ demise last year also meant the contract had to be amended. The Lions agreed, but insisted on a sign-off of the squad that would be put together.

Pete Samu wearing the First Nations & Pasifika team kit.

The Lions had previously declined a fixture against an ‘Australia A’ side, saying they didn’t want a game with the intensity of a fourth Test.

The Lions have drafted in three Scotland players Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland and Darcy Graham, specifically for Tuesday’s game at Docklands Stadium, to provide cover for the Test squad.

Samu is of Samoan heritage and played for the AUNZ XV that were defeated last Saturday by the Lions in Adelaide Oval.

The team is coached by former Wallabies No.8 Toutai Kefu and assisted by former New Zealand centre Tana Umaga and Wallabies fullback Glen Ella.

Kefu named a squad including Kurtley Beale, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Andy Muirhead to take on the Lions but it is arguably not as strong as the AUNZ Invitational XV, who were thumped by the Lions 48-0 in Adelaide.

Fijian Drua duo Mesake Doge and Mesake Vocevoce were also called into the squad, becoming the first Fijian internationals to face the Lions since the country’s 1977 victory.

The First Nations Pasifika squad has also been bolstered by Thursday’s news that Wallabies Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu will play in the fixture. Fijian Test winger Ponipate Loganimasi has also been added to the squad.

All 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.