The First Nations & Pasifika XV squad has been named ahead of next Tuesday’s clash with the British & Irish Lions at Marvel Stadium.
Coach Toutai Kefu has named a team mixed with experience and youth for the inaugural match-up, with Kurtley Beale, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Andy Muirhead already confirmed.
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Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Pete Samu and Kalani Thomas will back up after Saturday’s AUNZ defeat in Adelaide.
Fijian Drua duo 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 U20 stars Lington Ieli and Marley Pearce will get their shot at the Lions after impressing for the Brumbies and Force respectively in 2025.
In the back-row, Samu and Tuaina Taii Tualima join Leota, Uru and Gamble, who starred for the NSW Waratahs against the Lions earlier this month.
Meanwhile, former Wallaby Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa has been included in the halves, with Beale and Jack Debreczeni set to share the flyhalf responsibilities.
Lalakai Foketi, David Feliuai and Isaac Henry have been added to the midifled, while exciting Waratah Triston Reilly adds explosiveness to the back three.
In total, the group is made up of 20 players of Pasifika heritage and seven of First Nations heritage.
“It’s incredibly exciting to unveil the players that are set to be involved in this unique team,” coach Kefu said.
“There is a nice blend of youth and experience within the group, with countries and territories represented across the Pacific and Indigenous Australia. 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.”
(Position, Club, Heritage)
FORWARDS
George Blake - Prop, Queensland Reds, Cook Islands
Mesake Doge - Prop, Fijian Drua, Fijian
Feao Fotuaika - Prop, ACT Brumbies, Tongan
Lington Ieli - Prop, ACT Brumbies, Fijian
Marley Pearce - Prop, Western Force, Māori & First Nations
Richie Asiata - Hooker, Queensland Reds, Samoan
Brandon Paenga-Amosa - Hooker, Western Force, Samoan & Māori
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Lock, Queensland Reds, Samoan,
Darcy Swain - Lock, Western Force, Samoan
Mesake Vocevoce - Lock, Fijian Drua, Fijian
Seru Uru - Lock, Queensland Reds, Fijian
Charlie Gamble - Flanker, NSW Waratahs, Tongan
Rob Leota - Flanker, NSW Waratahs, Samoan
Pete Samu - Flanker, NSW Waratahs, Samoan
Tuaina Taii Tualima - Number eight, ACT Brumbies, Samoan
BACKS
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa - Scrum half, Western Force, Fijian
Harrison Goddard - Scrum half, ACT Brumbies, First Nations (Darug and Murawari)
Kalani Thomas - Scrum half, Queensland Reds, Māori
Kurtley Beale - Fly half/full back, Western Force, First Nations (Darug)
Jack Debreczeni - Fly half, ACT Brumbies, Cook Island
David Feliuai - Centre, ACT Brumbies, Samoan
Lalakai Foketi - Centre, NSW Waratahs, Tongan & Māori
Isaac Henry - Centre, Queensland Reds, First Nations (Yuwibara)
Jarrah McLeod - Centre, ACT Brumbies, First Nations (Yuin)
Andy Muirhead - Outside back, ACT Brumbies, First Nations (Barunggam)
Kye Oates - Outside back, ACT Brumbies, First Nations (Nunukul, Ngughi, Goenpul)
Triston Reilly - Outside back, NSW Waratahs, First Nations (Dunghutti and Wiradjuri)
Head Coach: Toutai Kefu (Tongan)
Assistant Coaches: Fa’alogo Tana Umaga (Samoan), Simon Raiwalui (Fijian), Glen Ella (First Nations - Yuin and Bidjigal)
Assistant: Sekope Kepu (Tongan)
