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.

 

[KOB1987]

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.

Problem is our indigenous types generally aren't big enough to be forwards so we are really only looking at backs, and these blokes are playing against test players, so you can't just pluck them out of anywhere, they at least need to be professional players purely in the interest of safety, and there aren't many of them. Pietsch could get released for this if he's not in the 23.

 

[Spamnoodle]

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.

They're all playing AFL or league. Who else could have been chosen?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Selectors have done their best to include as many Indigenous players as possible it seems. We have Oates who is getting a first class debut in it and that's fantastic.

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.

Going on some listed size stats he's pretty much the same size as Mac Grealy.

Only other options out there would be someone like Longbottom from the 7s. Would be fun to see what he'd try if you gave him 15 mins but he's also very small.

 

[Dctarget]

Hopefully those two extra training sessions these guys get over the ANZACs will make all the difference...

The team I'd choose:
1. Pearce
2. Paenga-Amosa
3. Doge
4. Salakaia-Loto
5. Swain
6. Leota
7. Gamble
8. Samu
9. Goddard
10. Debreczeni
11. Reilly
12. Foketi
13. Henry
14. Muirhead
15. Beale
16. Asiata
17. Leli
18. Fotuaika
19. Uru
20. Tualima
21. Fines-Leleiwasa
22. Feliuai
23. Oates

in the stands: Blake, Vocevoce, Thomas (because he's only Maori and I feel that's cheating), McCleod

It's interesting and I guess not that surprising that all the indigenous players are either outside backs or scrumhalves. Small and zippy or that big pasifika islander build I guess. Unless you're Pearce who's best of both worlds.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I hope Gamble goes full wreck it Ralph again at the breakdown. Love to see Samu and Leota get in on just making life hell in close.

 

[Wilson]

Ponipate Loganimasi added to the squad.

 

[rugbyAU]

Daungunu and Tupou added to the squad

Pietsch should be too

 

[Tazzmania]

Team already announced so thats a strange call

 

[Slim 293]

Team already announced so thats a strange call

It hasn't...

 

[liquor box]

They're all playing AFL or league. Who else could have been chosen?

No idea, to me it will be a failed concept (I will still watch). The idea has merit but should only have been proposed if a sufficient mix of players was actually available.

 

[Tazzmania]

It hasn't...

It was on X earlier today just after the Wallaby announcement and looks like it has now been withdrawn as I noted at the time that Marley Pearce, Darcy Swain, Kurtley Beale were all starting and BPA on the bench.

It was a colour graphic, and I thought it was a bit early.

I wonder if someone published and then withdrew it.

 

[Slim 293]

It was on X earlier today just after the Wallaby announcement and looks like it has now been withdrawn as I noted at the time that Marley Pearce, Darcy Swain, Kurtley Beale were all starting and BPA on the bench.

It was a colour graphic, and I thought it was a bit early.

I wonder if someone published and then withdrew it.

Nope, it was a fan mockup…

 

[Wilson]

It was on X earlier today just after the Wallaby announcement and looks like it has now been withdrawn as I noted at the time that Marley Pearce, Darcy Swain, Kurtley Beale were all starting and BPA on the bench.

It was a colour graphic, and I thought it was a bit early.

I wonder if someone published and then withdrew it.

As Slim said, it was likely a fan mock up. There is absolutely no reason they'd name this one side so much further in advance then any other, especially given the additions to the squad (which were almost certainly always planned once the Wallabies side was named).

 

[Spamnoodle]

No idea, to me it will be a failed concept (I will still watch). The idea has merit but should only have been proposed if a sufficient mix of players was actually available.

We have to find a way to get Aboriginal kids to stay with the game. Concepts like this are a great way to make connections, rugby is missing out on a lot of talent with indigenous people choosing the other codes. Other codes that sometimes don't really value their contributions. Especially AFL.