First Nations and Pasifika XV head coach Toutai Kefu has named his matchday squad for Tuesday\u2019s clash against the the British and Irish Lions with Wallabies legend Kurtley Beale appointed as captain.<\/p>\n
Beale, who has made 95 Test appearances for Australia, will start at fly-half in Melbourne in what will be the famous touring team\u2019s final provincial match of their 2025 tour.<\/p>\n
The First Nations and Pasifika XV team boasts 10 players with international experience\u00a0\u2013 nine Wallabies<\/a> and a Flying Fijian\u00a0\u2013 with nearly all the squad having already faced the Lions<\/a> on their Australian tour.<\/p>\n Kurtley Beale to face the Lions on second tour<\/p>\n Beale<\/a>\u2018s selection for this fixture officially confirms his involvement in his second Lions tour, after he also faced the tourists in 2013. He is joined in the halfbacks by Kalani Thomas, with Filipo Daugunu, Tristan Reilly and Andy Muirhead completing the back three.<\/p>\n Fijiian Drua tight forward duo Mesake Vocevoce and Mesake Doge, as well as 21-capped Wallabies back-rower Rob Leota will come off the replacements bench, serving as handy support to a set-piece featuring five Wallabies, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa and the \u201cTongan Thor\u201d Taniela Tupou packing down in the front-row.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, experienced Wallabies duo Darcy Swain and Lukhan Salakia-Loto will pack down alongside each other in the second-row while another Wallaby Seru Uru is joined by fellow flanker Charlie Gamble and Tuaina Taii Tualima, who is the number eight, in an exciting looking back-row.<\/p>\n David Feliuai and Lalakai Foketi will complete the midfield combination and will be well supported by a Brumbies heavy bench featuring Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni and Jarrah McLeod.<\/p>\n The invitational team\u2019s combined squad boasts 278 caps of experience, and Kefu believes his side can not only reverse the fortunes of previous provincial squads but also push the Lions even further.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team has a really nice feel to it, with a blend of not only youth and experience, but also cultures. We\u2019re pleased with how it\u2019s come together and the boys have connected brilliantly so far,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n