First Nations and Pasifika XV v B&I Lions - teams and prediction

PREVIEW: It is the last chance saloon for several players in both teams at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The First Nations and Pasifika XV host the British and Irish Lions in the last of the tourists’ midweek matches.

Taniela Tupou says he’s “at peace” if the First Nations and Pasifika XV match against the B&I Lions is the last in Australia for the powerhouse prop.

‘Tongan Thor’ was left out of the Wallabies squad for their opening Test loss against the tourists in Brisbane, while his inclusion in the historic selection likely rules him out of the second Test at the MCG.

Captained by Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale and coached by Test great Toutai Kefu, the inaugural First Nations and Pasifika side is looking to cause a boilover against the unbeaten Lions, who have already taken a 1-0 lead over Australia in the Test series.

After a disappointing season with the Waratahs, Tupou signed a two-year deal to play in France with the star-studded Racing 92 team, putting in jeopardy any future Wallabies involvement beyond the B&I Lions series.

Tupou has slipped behind Allan Alaalatoa and Tom Robertson in the tighthead stocks, and while he will rejoin the Wallabies training squad ahead of the remaining two Tests, Tuesday’s match might be his last on home soil.

“Look, I’m here having fun, enjoying it, whatever happens, happens,” Tupou said of his Test future.

“So if I’m back, I’m back and if not, I’m living life, I’m enjoying it.

“Just play my footy tomorrow and then see what happens after that … hopefully I will play again, if not, then I’m at peace with it.”

The 29-year-old, who was described as having the potential to be the best tighthead in the world, was asked how he’d like to be remembered if his 58-Test career was over.

“They’ll remember me how they want to remember me,” he said.

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Hooker Paenga-Amosa said he wanted to enjoy “one last ride” with his former Queensland teammate and good friend and said the playing group, representing First Nations, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, Maori and Samoa, had got a boost by his inclusion.

“There’s a buzz around having him back, him and Filipo Daugunu back in the camp as well. It really excited a lot of us, you know, knowing that we get these two heavy hitters.”

Paenga-Amosa has already faced the B&I Lions twice, with the Western Force and the AUNZ outfit and acknowledged the mammoth task of taking down the tourists, who will be skippered by Owen Farrell.

“What I’ve learned is just to have a crack mate, you know, just everybody come together and let’s just give it the best that we can for 80 minutes,” he said.

“We know that they’re not focused on us, and that’s OK. We just want to show them what we’re made of.”

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Farrell will captain the B&I Lions at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old gets the chance to start and impress his father, coach Andy Farrell, enough to earn a bench spot for the second Test in what will be his 20th B&I Lions appearance.

“This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests,” said Andy Farrell.

“The coaches’ minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places and we want that to continue for the remaining two Tests.

“This group know the level of performance that we will require against a First Nations Pasifika team that is packed with talent and power.”

Players to watch

For the First Nations and Pasifika XV: In a game of ‘last chances’ veteran Kurtley Beale was appointed captain the First Nations and Pasifika XV. The 36-year-old flyhalf brings 95 Tests of experience to the side made of Australians with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage. Kalani Thomas, who has had two appearances against the Lions already this tour for the Reds and AUNZ XV, lines up alongside Beale at scrumhalf. David Feliuai and Lalakai Foketi present a powerful partnership in the centres with Triston Reilly and Andy Muirhead completing the back three with Filipo Daugunu. Hulking prop Taniela Tupou has been released from the Wallabies camp and will pack down in the front row with Brandon Paenga-Amosa and youngster Lington Ieli. Darcy Swain and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto make up an experienced second row, while Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble and Tuaina Taii Tualima complete a versatile trio in the back.

For the British and Irish Lions: Andy Farrell will partner Ireland’s Jamie Osborne in the centre, with Scotland’s Ben White at scrumhalf and England’s Fin Smith the playmaker at No.10. Fullback Blair Kinghorn returns from injury and forms an all-Scotland back three alongside Darcy Graham and Duhan van Der Merwe. Up front, 102-Test veteran hooker Jamie George, who was called up last week as cover for the concussed Luke Cowan-Dickie, will pack down with Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman and Irishman Finlay Bealham. Ireland’s James Ryan is partnered in the second row by Scot Scott Cummings while in the back, Wales captain Jac Morgan lines up alongside Ireland’s Josh van der Flier and England’s Henry Pollock.

Prediction

@rugby365com: British and Irish Lions by 18 points

Teams

First Nations and Pasifika XV: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Triston Reilly, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Kurtley Beale (captain), 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Lington Ieli.
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Jarrah McLeod.

British and Irish Lions: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Duhan van Der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben White, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jac Morgan, 5 Scott Cummins, 4 James Ryan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Jamie George, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Tom Clarkson, 19 Gregor Brown, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Garry Ringrose.

Date: Tuesday, July, 22
Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-off: 20.00 (11.00 BST; 10.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Showers. Becoming windy. High of 14°C and a low of 8°C
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

* Sources: AAP & AFP