Wallaby-coach-in-waiting Les Kiss will continue his integration into the national side in July, with the Reds coach to oversee the AUNZ invitational side to take on the British and Irish Lions on July 12 in Adelaide.
While Wallabies great Toutai Kefu will oversee the First Nations and Pasifika XV, who will play the Lions later in the tour on July 22 in Melbourne.
The two coaching appointments were confirmed on Monday afternoon as anticipation grows ahead of the Lions series.
Twenty four years after playing against the Lions, Toutai Kefu will coach against them in Melbourne . Mandatory Credit: Nick Wilson/ALLSPORT
Lions coach Andy Farrell and his 38-man strong squad will arrive on Australian shores next month ahead of the first of nine matches Down Under against the Western Force in 40 days. It will be the first of five tour matches before the first of three Tests in Brisbane on July 19.
The appointment of Kiss as the AUNZ invitational side had been anticipated for weeks, with Joe Schmidt’s successor to join former All Blacks coach Ian Foster for the Adelaide fixture.
“It’s a privilege to be able to lead the coaching group for the combined AUNX Invitational XV,” Kiss said.
“The British & Irish Lions are one of world sport’s most renowned teams and to be able to play them at an iconic Australian venue such as the Adelaide Oval will be an incredible spectacle.
“I’m looking forward to working with a coach like Ian who has wide-ranging experience at the highest level of the game and linking up with the wider management in due course.”
Les Kiss (R) will oversee the AUNZ Invitational side against the Lions in Adelaide on July 12. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Just who lines up in the fixture remains to be seen, with Rugby Australia working out who they can bring Down Under for the exhibition game.
Although several players have expressed their interest in running out against the Lions, including Richie Mo’unga, getting clearance has proven harder given the costs associated with insurance.
In addition, RA has spent months working out who they want to run out in the match, with the governing body and Schmidt weighing up high performance desires and signing on household names from overseas.
Meanwhile, Kefu’s appointment comes months after The Roar first mentioned that the Wallabies great was in line for the role.
The former World Cup winner, who also featured against the Lions, spent seven years coaching Tonga, including at two World Cups, said it was an honour to oversee the First Nations and Pasifika XV.
“I feel honoured to be named Head Coach of the first ever First Nations & Pasifika XV,” the former number eight said.
“First Nations and Pasifika people contribute massively to the game all around the world and the significance of this gamein celebrating those ongoing contributions can’t be overstated, especially against a team with the history of the British & Irish Lions.
“I’m looking forward to getting together as a group in July and representing our people with a strong performance at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.”
