By Iain Payten and Daniel Schofield
Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss says the power of experienced All Black stars in the Australia and New Zealand Invitational side will help combat the Lions, as Marika Koroibete was confirmed as a starter for next week’s tour game.
After months of speculation and player withdrawals – including Richie Mo’unga and Michael Hooper – the AUNZ side is slowly taking shape ahead of the clash with the Lions at the Adelaide Oval on July 12.
Kiss is the AUNZ head coach, with former All Blacks coach Ian Foster an assistant. And Foster’s work on the New Zealand front has seen six players with a total of 81 All Blacks caps named so far.
All Blacks centre and Crusaders captain David Havili is a prize capture, while 33-cap back-rower Shannon Frizzell, Shaun Stevenson, Ngani Laumape, Folau Fakatava and Joshua Fusitu’a will also suit up.
After initially looking to recruit Japan-based stars, Rugby Australia have opted to use the fixture to give more game time to Australian players from the Wallabies squad and Super Rugby sides.
RA revealed the first three Australian players on Thursday, with Koroibete, Pete Samu and Brandon Paenga-Amosa all named as participants.
David Havili of the Crusaders leads the team out for the Super Rugby final.Credit: Getty Images
Koroibete, the two-time John Eales medallist who is still playing in Japan, missed selection in the 36-man Wallabies squad last month but will be able to mount a case for a possible mid-series call-up with a strong performance.
Adelaide Oval was the scene of one of Koroibete’s most famous moments as a Wallaby, when he helped secure victory against the world champion Springboks in 2022 with a try and a freakish cover tackle on Makazole Mapimpi.
Samu is returning to the Waratahs next season after a stellar year with French club Bordeaux, who won the European Cup in May but went down to Toulouse in the Top 14 grand final at the weekend.
Paenga-Amosa was a regular with the Wallabies last year but missed the initial 36-man squad last week, and will be aiming to crack his way back in.
Marika Koroibete produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to deny Makazole Mapimpi.Credit: Getty
Speaking after the Reds’ defeat in Brisbane on Wednesday, Kiss said the injection of some Kiwi power would be helpful against the Lions in Adelaide.
“The All Blacks will bring probably that extra bit of power you need – that power and speed,” Kiss said.
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“It’ll be a short week’s prep, but they all know how to play footy. We don’t want to make it too complicated. We just let them play on a base plan that we have, and then let them play footy.”
Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami said he was keen to play for the AUNZ side if given the opportunity. He said Havili was desperately unlucky to not get picked for the All Blacks after an outstanding year for the Crusaders.
“David Havili is quality player - I thought he was unlucky to not make the All Black squad, because I think he was the best 12 in the world,” Paisami said.
Owen Farrell, the former England five-eighth, is in line to receive a sensational call-up to the Lions tour, the London Telegraph has reported.
Fullback Elliot Daly suffered a suspected broken forearm in the 52-12 victory over the Reds on Wednesday night. On Thursday, the Lions were awaiting the result of X-rays after Daly left Suncorp Stadium with his arm in a sling.
Alex Corbisiero, Owen Farrell and current Wallabies assistant coach Geoff Parling with the Tom Richards Cup in 2013.Credit: Getty Images
Should their worst fears be confirmed, Telegraph Sport understands that Daly’s new Saracens teammate, Farrell, is in line to be his replacement.
While far from a direct swap for Daly, who has been deployed at full back so far on this tour but can also cover wing and centre, Farrell will more than make up the experience void.
Daly was one of only three players in the original squad, alongside prop Tadhg Furlong and captain Maro Itoje, to have toured three times. Should he get the call, Farrell will embark on his fourth Lions tour, having debuted in the 2-1 series victory over the Wallabies in 2013.
Elliot Daly of the British & Irish Lions makes a break against the RedsCredit: Getty Images
Speaking to Telegraph Sport last month, Farrell had certainly not shut the door on another Lions tour despite stepping back from England duty.
“I can’t say,” Farrell said. “It is all very hypothetical, isn’t it? A lot would need to happen, and I need to make sure I am ready to go if that does come around. That is the only point that matters.”
The Lions have just three warm-up games heading into the three-Test series against the Wallabies and it is extremely unlikely Farrell would arrive in time to be ready for Saturday’s match against the Waratahs in Sydney.
