First Nations & Pasifika XV vs the Lions - Tue, Jul 22 @ 8:00 PM, Melbourne

[Wilson]

FIRST NATIONS & PASIFIKA XV SQUAD
(Position, Club, Heritage)

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)

First Nations & Pasifika XV squad confirmed for Lions tour match

www.rugby.com.au

 

[Wilson]

So it's an Australia A sort of selection with two Drua players (both named Mesake) added for good measure.

Very keen to see Kye Oates get a chance in this one.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Kye again is very much on the small side going up against the BIL. But he did look good in trials for the Brumbies earlier this year. I'll also be watching Jarrah McLeod going against top level opposition.

 

[liquor box]

It seems a bit too Pasifika to me, the game is in Australia, and I think it should have equal First Nations at a minimum.

It seems like there is a pretty decent chance that there may be a time in the game where there is no First Nation players on the field which would be a shame.