As Kurtley Beale was confirmed as the First Nations and Pasifika XV captain, Wallabies great Toutai Kefu has expressed his disappointment that Waratahs recruit Pete Samu was blocked from featuring in Tuesday night’s tour match.

After the First Nations and Pasifika concept was created following the Melbourne Rebels’ sorry demise last year, a change in the criteria for the match allowed the British and Irish Lions final say on who would line up for Kefu’s side.

Unfortunately, given Samu – the 33-Test Wallaby – played overseas this year for French Top 14 heavyweights Bordeaux before signing with the NSW Waratahs, the 33-year-old was denied the right to play despite being named in Kefu’s side.

The Lions’ reasons for the shock move have yet to be made clear, with assistant Johnny Sexton saying it was out of his hands and merely a matter of “rules and regulations”.

Pete Samu was blocked from taking on the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Lions coach Andy Farrell also chose to straight bat questions following Saturday’s first Test win in Brisbane.

“Well, I mean, I suppose everyone wants to play against the Lions, so I suppose you will be disappointed,” Farrell said.

“But you know, that’s out of my hands. I don’t write the rules. I just get on with the coaching side… we’ll just let the powers that be deal with that. There’s rules and regulations that’s been agreed, so let them get on with that.”

Given almost the entire team that took the field in Brisbane will be afforded the chance to put their feet up on Tuesday, Samu wouldn’t necessarily pose an immediate risk to Farrell’s preparation.

But the ruthless Lions, who started the tour by reading Joe Schmidt the contract by saying he must release his Wallabies to ensure a competitive build up, perhaps don’t want to allow Samu the chance to find his feet should their opponents look to draft him in during the series given his quality and versatility.

Nonetheless, Kefu – the former World Cup winner, who also starred during the 2001 Lions series victory – expressed his disappointment that Samu would miss the chance to play in another match.

“He really wanted to play this week and he should be starting,” Kefu said.

“He’s a quality player. I thought he did really well in the Australian and New Zealand match. If he played here, he would have only been better for the experience.

“He’s really disappointed, but he’s been able to help the team in other ways.”

Nonetheless, Kefu has still been able to name a squad with plenty of quality in it, including an exciting back-row featuring Wallaby Seru Uru, Waratahs on-baller Charlie Gamble and rising Brumby Tuaina Taii Tualima.

Four of the side’s tight-five are also have Test experience, with Taniela Tupou named in the front-row alongside Brandon Paenga-Amosa. Darcy Swain and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto make up the second-row.

The backline also has plenty of quality in it, with a combination of experience and exciting youth.

Kalani Thomas will partner Beale in the halves, with David Feliaui and Lalakai Foketi in the midfield. Wallaby Filipo Daugunu is joined by Indigenous outside backs Andy Muirhead and Triston Reilly.

Andy Muirhead has been named at fullback by First Nations and Pasifika coach Toutai Kefu to take on the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Beale, 36, will wear the No.10 jersey in the first time in more than a decade and the 95-Test Wallaby said he was honoured to lead the side.

“It’s a huge honour to be able to represent the team,” he said. “There’s some classy players and some real talent there, and to be able to lead them onto the park against the Lions on Tuesday is an absolute privilege and a huge honour.

“There’s a really good balance in the squad, some experienced players and we’re all leading our own areas. But yeah, huge honour and just an exciting opportunity to go against the Lions on Tuesday.”

While the side won’t perform a ‘haka’, Kefu said he hoped their performance did the talking on the field and hoped the concept of the side could turn into a regular thing.

“There’s other stuff that we’re doing to celebrate our cultures,” Kefu said. “We always said right from the start that the performance is best going to represent our people – and that’s the way that we want it.

“It’s another pathway for Indigenous people and Pasifika people. I’d love to see a team like this play the Maori (All Blacks) once a year and maybe even tour through Europe. I think it’s a great concept.”

First Nations and Pasifika (1-15): Lington Ieli, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Kalani Thomas, Kurtley Beale (c), Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Lalakai Foketi, Triston Reilly, Andy Muirhead

Replacements: Richie Asiata, Marley Pearce, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Rob Leota, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Jarrah McLeod