Veteran Wallaby Kurtley Beale will, at last, get his chance to take on the Lions 12 years after playing a central character in the 2013 series.
The 36-year-old was denied the opportunity to push his Wallabies case late last month after tweaking his hamstring on the eve of the Force’s opener against the Lions, but the versatile back headlines a First Nations and Pasifika side to take on the famed side on July 22 in Melbourne.
Beale is one of nine Wallabies named in Toutai Kefu’s 27-man squad (20 Pasifika, seven First Nations) for the final tour match on Australian shores. He is joined by Wallabies Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto Darcy Swain, Seru Uru, Rob Leota Pete Samu, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Lalakai Foketi in the squad.
Veteran Wallaby Kurtley Beale will take on the Lions for the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Several players who impressed throughout Super Rugby in 2025 will also get another chance at the Lions, with Richie Asiata, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Charli Gamble and Andy Muirhead also picked. Rising talents Marley Pearce and Lington Leli will also get the chance to pack down up front against the formidable Lions pack.
Departing Brumbies playmaker Jack Debreczeni, who played the first half of his Super Rugby career at the Rebels, will also return to Melbourne for the match.
“It’s incredibly exciting to unveil the players that are set to be involved in this unique team,” 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.”
Toutai Kefu will coach the First Nations and Pasifika XV against the Lions 24 years after beating them with the Wallabies. Photo: Nick Wilson/ALLSPORT
Kefu, one of the stars of the 2001 successful Wallabies side that beat the Lions 2-1, is joined in the coaching box by a who’s who of coaching, including former All Blacks captain turned Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga.
Wallabies great Mark Ella, who was coaching the national side in 2001, will also be in the box. As will former Fiji boss and Wallabies assistant Simon Raiwalu, as well as Test stalwart Sekope Kepu.
The match could be the final game Beale plays on Australian shores, with the 95-Test veteran weighing up his next move.
The fleet-footed back came off the bench in the series opener 12 years ago but missed a long-range shot at goals after slipping over. Nor has he forgotten it.
Beale is favoured by many to captain the side, and speaking on the eve of the squad naming, the former 2010 World Rugby player of the year nominee said it would be an “absolute honour” if he was entrusted with the role.
“It’s a huge privilege to be able to represent my culture and represent the team at this level against the Lions.
“After being involved last time there’s a bit of redemption there … it’d be great to be able to kind of get back and put in a performance that we can all be proud of.”
The match will also give fringe Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Pete Samu another chance to press their selection claims.
All three featured in the AUNZ side that was handsomely beaten by the Lions in Adelaide, but Salakaia-Loto particularly gave Schmidt something to think about.
“Look, I just want to keep playing footy,” he told Stan Sport following the 48-0 defeat. “It’s my second game back from injury, first 80 minutes of the year, and all I know is I’m going back home to my family tomorrow.
“There’s another game Tuesday week in Melbourne for the First Nations and Pasifika team, and hopefully I’m involved in that. But look, I just want more of these guys. I want to play against these guys as many times as I can.
“That’s what it looks like for myself going forward. I’m right here. If they need me, give my phone a call.”
And with injuries expected to occur in the series, the trio will know that another strong performance could have them catapulted into the Test mix just like Justin Harrison 24 years ago.
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)
