AUNZ Invitational XV v British & Irish Lions Saturday, 12 July 2025, 8:00pm Adelaide Oval

[molman]

Anyone got any thoughts on any of the players? I actually thought Samu looked pretty good within the context of the team. He's a dynamic handful and was able to make gainline a couple of times even with a pretty compressed lions defence.

Koribeti unfortunately didn't really display anything to say he should be knocking on the Wallabies door. He looked a lot slower than I recall.

 

[Wilson]

Anyone got any thoughts on any of the players? I actually thought Samu looked pretty good within the context of the team. He's a dynamic handful and was able to make gainline a couple of times even with a pretty compressed lions defence.

Koribeti unfortunately didn't really display anything to say he should be knocking on the Wallabies door. He looked a lot slower than I recall.

Just the Aussies:
Salakaia-Loto was great and there's not much more he could be doing to demand a place in the wallabies squad.

Edmed and Samu were solid but didn't do anything to suggest they should be in the wallabies squad ahead of anyone else. Samu does look ready for an injury call up though.

Most of the rest were middling, but not really helped by the nature of a team just coming together.

It's probably a slightly different set of expectations in the latter half of the game, but I thought the bench guys all did fairly well considering. Aside from Philip none of them are really in contention for the wallabies right now though.

Koroibete was easily the worst of the Aussies though, and close to the worst on ground. Just looked well past it and it wasn't surprising to see him hooked just after half time, even though it was terrible for the backline balance dropping out a winger.

 

[LeCheese]

Anyone got any thoughts on any of the players? I actually thought Samu looked pretty good within the context of the team. He's a dynamic handful and was able to make gainline a couple of times even with a pretty compressed lions defence.

Koribeti unfortunately didn't really display anything to say he should be knocking on the Wallabies door. He looked a lot slower than I recall.

Of the Aussie contingent: LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was the only one who really stood out imo. Maybe I wasn't watching closely enough, but I'm not sure I agree on Samu - one or two moments, but otherwise seemed relatively quiet and ineffectual.

Edmed was serviceable and took safe options, but didn't ever really ever spark anything. I thought Blyth put in a reasonably solid shift, all things considered.

Kalani brought a bit of energy, but has reverted to his more chaotic ways as the year has progressed. Felt a bit for Campbell and HMP who were playing out of their preferred positions at wing and fullback, respectively - just didn't seem to be able to get into the game.

Nothing else to be said about Marika.

Overall, meh.

 

[Bokke]

I didn't realise the concept was to play progressively weaker teams as the Lions tour.progressed. if you bought a ticket to tonight's.game I'd.be seeking a refund.

As I was when I watched a Reds B team play the Lions

 

[zer0]

I switched off after the first try of the second half. Frizzell (annoyingly), Salakaia-Loto, and Sotutu were the pick of the bunch in about that order. I was most interested in AJ Lam's performance and he made good tackles but don't think he ever touched the ball. And then there was @Dismal Pillock's favourite, Dave. Good old Dave. Should've yanked Dave after that weak tackle attempt on Hansen, shifted Laumape to 12 and Lam to 13.

The concept itself was always an outside chance of resurfacing in 2029 with the NZ schedule already effectively set at nine matches. The only question is if there will be a tenth match (I hope there is) and, if so, whether it would be this ANZAC team or the NZ Barbarians, as it was in 2017. Seems safe to say it will be the NZ Barbarians.

Or AB XV if they're feeling spicy.

EDIT: Actually, the Barbarians match was first up in 2017. The AuNZ side would likely only fare well if it was also first up so both teams are basically still at Barbarian level of cohesion.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

And then there was @Dismal Pillock's favourite, Dave. Good old Dave. Should've yanked Dave after that weak tackle attempt on Hansen

LOL@Captain Dave.

- Captain Dave drops the ball!
- Captain Dave gets turned over!
- Captain Dave gets turnstiled!
- Captain Dave tries the crosskick just like the kool kids do but he stuffs it up!
- Captain Dave inspires his team to ship 40 unanswered points!

It's Dave's world, we're just living in it.

TLDR; Dave = The Mark Mayerhofler of the 2020's.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Of the Aussie contingent: LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was the only one who really stood out imo. Maybe I wasn't watching closely enough, but I'm not sure I agree on Samu - one or two moments, but otherwise seemed relatively quiet and ineffectual.

Edmed was serviceable and took safe options, but didn't ever really ever spark anything. I thought Blyth put in a reasonably solid shift, all things considered.

Kalani brought a bit of energy, but has reverted to his more chaotic ways as the year has progressed. Felt a bit for Campbell and HMP who were playing out of their preferred positions at wing and fullback, respectively - just didn't seem to be able to get into the game.

Nothing else to be said about Marika.

Overall, meh.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) played strongly all game and should be in the mix for the test XXIII. Edmed had some solid moments but too often stunted a promising backline move by taking the line on himself.

I thought HMP was playing No 13, but in any case was not in his usual spot. Truth is that he's not anywhere near ready for this standard. Maybe never will be given his physical limitations. Shame we don't have a 25/26yo with Super Rugby form to cover the No 10 spot in these types of games. Oh wait....

 

[RebelYell]

We got this game wrong. Why didn't we have some combinations from the wallabies play ? They haven't played enough. This game would have been a good opportunity to give some combinations a run. Maybe a Wilson Tate combo, Lenny and flook. Even fringe wallaby players who will be on the bench.

I agree. Here's an exercise in at least picking 10 players who are in the Wallabies squad and unlikely to play the first test, as well as retaining the NZ picks in the positions they were selected in, which I think would have been a far better use of the fixture.

1. Tom Robertson
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Zane Nongorr
4. Josh Canham
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Carlo Tizzano
8. Hoskins Sotutu
9. Folau Fakatava
10. James O'Connor
11. Dylan Pietsch
12. David Havili
13. Ngani Laumape
14. AJ Lam
15. Shaun Stevenson

16. Kurt Eklund
17. Joshua Fusitu'a
18. George Dyer
19. Matt Philip/Darcy Swain
20. Nick Champion de Crespigny
21. Nic White
22. Hunter Paisami
23. Andrew Kellaway

 

[RebelYell]

And an attempt at the First Nations/Pasifika team, using a similar approach (and only AU/NZ based players):

1. Isaac Kailea
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Zane Nongorr
4. Darcy Swain
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Rob Leota
7. Charlie Gamble
8. Pete Samu
9. Isaak Fines
10. Kurtley Beale
11. Filipo Daugunu (minutes depending)
12. David Feliuai
13. Hunter Paisami
14. Dylan Pietsch
15. Andy Muirhead

16. Richie Asiata
17. Lington Ieli
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
19. Connor Vest/Miles Amatosero
20. Seru Uru/Tuaina Tualima
21. Kalani Thomas
22. Isaac Henry
23. Triston Reilly

 

[Hogan]

Of the Aussie contingent: LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was the only one who really stood out imo. Maybe I wasn't watching closely enough, but I'm not sure I agree on Samu - one or two moments, but otherwise seemed relatively quiet and ineffectual.

Edmed was serviceable and took safe options, but didn't ever really ever spark anything. I thought Blyth put in a reasonably solid shift, all things considered.

Kalani brought a bit of energy, but has reverted to his more chaotic ways as the year has progressed. Felt a bit for Campbell and HMP who were playing out of their preferred positions at wing and fullback, respectively - just didn't seem to be able to get into the game.

Nothing else to be said about Marika.

Overall, meh.

Edmed played like Edmed plays. Safe and solid but without any real spark and unable to ignite his backline. Probably the reason why the Waratahs replaced him with Creighton.

Koroibete is past his use by date on the international scene and last night’s performance proved that players playing in Japan are not serious candidates for the Wallabies. Kerevi is another player that comes to mind that punters were calling for selection for the Lions series but his best days are behind him.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Do we have any idea who is in the aboriginal and pasifika team? I have seen nothing other than Beale which seems kind of strange?
I feel like they should’ve just made this a Fiji vs Lions game. I don’t think two blow out games in a row is great for the concept / fans

 

[Tomthumb]

A team of current wallabies and all blacks would be UNREAL to watch. The back row would be made up of Fraser, bobby V and savea! LHP would be bell and Williams. It goes on and on and on. Give them a couple of weeks to prep and belt the piss out of England, Ireland or France.

Outside of Valetini, it would just be the All Blacks team haha

 

[molman]

Outside of Valetini, it would just be the All Blacks team haha

Thats probably a bit unfair. There'd be a few that I reckon Razor would consider out the AU players if he had access. I reckon Bell would be in the mix. I rate him more than de Groot. Ikitau also I prefer to Proctor. Sua'ali'i would also probably thrive amoungst a team of that calibre.

 

[Dan54]

Thats probably a bit unfair. There'd be a few that I reckon Razor would consider out the AU players if he had access. I reckon Bell would be in the mix. I rate him more than de Groot. Ikitau also I prefer to Proctor. Sua'ali'i would also probably thrive amoungst a team of that calibre.

Bell would be at least on bench (but could be starting if Williams still injured. Agree Sua'ali'i would go great at centre, perhaps a Wallaby wing or 2? Not suggesting they would be ony Wallabies, just off the top of my head at moment. Might think of another 4 or 5 after I watch next weeks Lion's test.

 

[Wilson]

Do we have any idea who is in the aboriginal and pasifika team? I have seen nothing other than Beale which seems kind of strange?
I feel like they should’ve just made this a Fiji vs Lions game. I don’t think two blow out games in a row is great for the concept / fans

Beale, Muirhead, Uru, Leota, and Gamble have all been announced. I expect we'll see plenty more over the next day or two now that this fixture has been completed.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Beale, Muirhead, Uru, Leota, and Gamble have all been announced. I expect we'll see plenty more over the next day or two now that this fixture has been completed.

Got it so seems like this will be more of a wallabies 2nd or so type team with quite a few players in and around the national set up which hopefully will lead to a better game.

 

[LeCheese]

I thought HMP was playing No 13, but in any case was not in his usual spot.

I initially thought so as well (and said as much at the time in the thread), but I saw later that Laumape stayed on. He definitely slotted in at first/second receiver a fair bit, however.

 

[LeCheese]

And an attempt at the First Nations/Pasifika team, using a similar approach (and only AU/NZ based players):

1. Isaac Kailea
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Zane Nongorr
4. Darcy Swain
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Rob Leota
7. Charlie Gamble
8. Pete Samu
9. Isaak Fines
10. Kurtley Beale
11. Filipo Daugunu (minutes depending)
12. David Feliuai
13. Hunter Paisami
14. Dylan Pietsch
15. Andy Muirhead

16. Richie Asiata
17. Lington Ieli
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
19. Connor Vest/Miles Amatosero
20. Seru Uru/Tuaina Tualima
21. Kalani Thomas
22. Isaac Henry
23. Triston Reilly

Have mentioned this before, but Henry doesn’t have indigenous heritage, despite being one of the Reds’ ambassadors

 

[Wilson]

Have mentioned this before, but Henry doesn’t have indigenous heritage, despite being one of the Reds’ ambassadors

The QRU list him as having indigenous heritage beyond just the ambassador program:

Reds Indigenous Players | Queensland Rugby

qld.rugby

 

[LeCheese]

The QRU list him as having indigenous heritage beyond just the ambassador program:

Reds Indigenous Players | Queensland Rugby

qld.rugby

Interesting... that's incongruent with what I had been told by the family, but I'll leave it at that.

In that case, I hope he gets a run.