Lions Tour 2025

[Adam84]

And to the standard he keeps for himself if it doesn't feel right, you cant do it.

I remember Adam Gilchrist talking about knowing exactly when he didn't have it or the same drive to perform at what was required and occupying a spot isn't the right thing to do.

He knows his body as well. He gave the 7s a crack and it couldn't keep up with what he asked of it which is understandable after 294 Super Rugby games/Tests in the backrow as a relatively undersized guy... He knows his body. Got 10 games for Verblitz to play over 300 pro games. Some player.

a favourite interview

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1563454070663402

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

a favourite interview

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1563454070663402

Even better take on it.

 

[Adam84]

Richie Mo'unga, Shannon Frizell and Shaun Stevenson have received insurance approval to participate in the AUNZ Invitational team's match against the British & Irish Lions on July 10. Now just need Japan clubs to sign off and RA will no doubt announce their participation

 

[Dctarget]

Richie Mo'unga, Shannon Frizell and Shaun Stevenson have received insurance approval to participate in the AUNZ Invitational team's match against the British & Irish Lions on July 10. Now just need Japan clubs to sign off and RA will no doubt announce their participation

Does that mean they're the big name NZ players? Rest of the Kiwis will be NZ based players outside the ABs squad?

 

[rugbyAU]

Anyone else feel that RA has completely dropped the ball on this ANZAC fixture and it's been a real let down

Only 5 weeks left and we have zero players announced, no jersey and coaches only recently announced

There will be no Wallabies playing and the All blacks and the Maori All Blacks will be unavailable, the Brumbies game is also only 3 days before, will those players be available?

Even if they can get Frizzell, Stevenson or Richie what other Kiwis would they get?

It would make sense to do an Aus A fixture if none of the top NZ or Aus players are available and if RA isn't interested in marketing it properly

 

[Major Tom]

Anyone else feel that RA has completely dropped the ball on this ANZAC fixture and it's been a real let down

Only 5 weeks left and we have zero players announced, no jersey and coaches only recently announced

There will be no Wallabies playing and the All blacks and the Maori All Blacks will be unavailable, the Brumbies game is also only 3 days before, will those players be available?

Even if they can get Frizzell, Stevenson or Richie what other Kiwis would they get?

It would make sense to do an Aus A fixture if none of the top NZ or Aus players are available and if RA isn't interested in marketing it properly

Lions don’t want to play Aus A apparently

 

[Slim 293]

There will be no Wallabies playing and the All blacks and the Maori All Blacks will be unavailable, the Brumbies game is also only 3 days before, will those players be available?

Yeah, so what?

 

[rugbyAU]

Yeah, so what?

You want some big name players surely

 

[upthereds#!]

anyone wanna have a crack at the Indigenous/Pasifika team?

Kefu the coach has thrown out some names that almost definitely will be included in the Wallabies 23 or at least 30 like Gleeson, BPA and Salakaia-Loto and probably Nonggorr.

So, assuming he can't pick those because the match is in the same week as the Melbourne test, he's also thrown out Savea?? But I thought it was from within Aus. Don't think the coach understands the concept. He might try and pick Sione Tuipulotu lol.

Predicted team? Indigenous players like Beale, Muirhead and Reilly are surely a lock. I think Pietsch might be too close to gold.

Leota would be great, in Melbourne, home crowd, same goes for Pete Samu. Depends who turns out for the Aus/NZ match too, Quade would be good.

Would never happen but I'd love them to get players like Meafou, Adam Coleman and Monty Ioane in there too. That'd be awesome. Could also pick players like Billy Vunipola, born in Sydney and Moses Tuipulotu.

I think we'll probably be disappointed, I think he's going to struggle to get together a team and it'll be more unheralded blokes than not. This is my predicted 23 with a few liberties with some non Aus qualified Aussies in there. (Are there any eligible 7s?).

1. Isaac Kailea
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Sam Talakai
4. Miles Amatosero
5. Felix Kalapu
6. Rob Leota
7. Vaolini Ekausi
8. Pete Samu
9. Issak Fines
10. Pat Pelligrini
11. Andy Muirhead
12. Lalakai Foketi
13. Izaia Perese
14. Trison Reilly
15. Kurtley Beale
16. Richie Asiata
17. Scott Sio
18. Pone Fa'amausili
19. Pat Tafa
20. Leafi Talataina
21. Kalani Thomas
22. Reesjan Pasitoa
23. Irae Simone

They won't be bringing in euro based players for it fairly certain - some may double up between ausnz and PI/IN and probably be some NZ, Japan based, but will give it a go with those in Australia only. (Though I hope this is not the case and we can get some more!) If nothing else, this pack and bench is big and will leave a mark.

1. Kailea 2. Asiata 3. Fotuaika
4. Swain 5. Amatosero
6. Leota 8. Ekuasi 7. Samu
9. Fines 10. Pasitoa 11. Muirhead 12. Feliuali 13. Foketi 14. Reilly 15. Beale

16. Vailanu 17. Moli 18. Tauakipulu 19. Kalapu 20. Tualima 21. Talataina 22. Thomas 23. Ripley

 

[Wilson]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Skelton suit up for either invitational game. La Rochelle have missed out on the play offs, so it'll be much easier to get him out early, but they won't want him going in cold to the first test.

 

[Major Tom]

They won't be bringing in euro based players for it fairly certain - some may double up between ausnz and PI/IN and probably be some NZ, Japan based, but will give it a go with those in Australia only. (Though I hope this is not the case and we can get some more!) If nothing else, this pack and bench is big and will leave a mark.

1. Kailea 2. Asiata 3. Fotuaika
4. Swain 5. Amatosero
6. Leota 8. Ekuasi 7. Samu
9. Fines 10. Pasitoa 11. Muirhead 12. Feliuali 13. Foketi 14. Reilly 15. Beale

16. Vailanu 17. Moli 18. Tauakipulu 19. Kalapu 20. Tualima 21. Talataina 22. Thomas 23. Ripley

- Amastero has Nigerian heritage (maybe Polynesian mixed in as well)
- Kalani Thomas should start
- I’m not sure Samu will be available before rugby championship
- I’d deffs have JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) there as well
Not a bad crack at a team though

 

[PhilClinton]

For everyone complaining about the ANZAC game, chill your grills. Did people really expect a team to run out full of current All Blacks and Wallabies?

It’s a tour match FFS, it’s a pretty new concept as well. The Lions are here to play the Wallabies. That is all sorted.

 

[Brumby Runner]

They won't be bringing in euro based players for it fairly certain - some may double up between ausnz and PI/IN and probably be some NZ, Japan based, but will give it a go with those in Australia only. (Though I hope this is not the case and we can get some more!) If nothing else, this pack and bench is big and will leave a mark.

1. Kailea 2. Asiata 3. Fotuaika
4. Swain 5. Amatosero
6. Leota 8. Ekuasi 7. Samu
9. Fines 10. Pasitoa 11. Muirhead 12. Feliuali 13. Foketi 14. Reilly 15. Beale

16. Vailanu 17. Moli 18. Tauakipulu 19. Kalapu 20. Tualima 21. Talataina 22. Thomas 23. Ripley

There may be changes if some of those find their way into the Wallaby squad, the one change to that team I'd make would be Mac Grealy in for Beale. Both played fullback for the Force this year and Grealy's form was far superior.