In an extraordinary move that risks damaging relationships between Rugby Australia and the British and Irish Lions, the tourists have blocked Melbourne-born Wallaby Pete Samu from playing in next week’s tour match at Marvel Stadium.
Samu, 33, was recently named in Toutai Kefu’s First Nations and Pasifika squad to take on the Lions next Tuesday in the final mid-week fixture of the nine-match tour of Australia.
His selection in the side came after the Test back-rower recently signed a multi-year deal with the Waratahs after two years at Bordeaux – the French Top 14 runners-up and Champion Cup winners.
But because Samu didn’t feature in Super Rugby this year, the Lions put up the red light and blocked the Wallaby’s involvement in the match.
The Lions were allowed final sign-off on the squad because the original fixture against the Melbourne Rebels was canned after the Super Rugby franchise fell into voluntary administration last year and was culled in late May, 2024. As such, the First Nations and Pasifika side was constructed instead.
Wallabies back-rower Pete Samu has been bizarrely blocked from taking on the Lions for the First Nations and Pasifika XV. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)ia)
Samu – the 33-Test back-rower – was informed of the development on Thursday and told teammates on Friday that he had been blocked from taking the field next Tuesday.
The bizarre situation comes just weeks after Lions CEO Ben Calveley read RA the contract within hours of touching down in Australia, saying Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt must release his national players to the Super Rugby franchises to ensure the tourists were given adequate preparation ahead of the three Test.
Contacted by The Roar, Rugby Australia chose not to comment.
Meanwhile, Wallabies Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu have joined Kefu’s squad and will likely feature in Tuesday’s clash after being left out of Schmidt’s side.
