Les plans 'Kiss of death' for B&I Lions
Wallaby coach-in-waiting Les Kiss has shared the love in finalising the trans-Tasman squad he hopes can “do something special” against the British and Irish Lions ahead of the first Test.
Kiss, who will take over from Joe Schmidt later next year, felt the full force of the Lions last Wednesday when his Reds led 12-7 but lost 12-52.
He’s handed 10 of those men, including halves Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, another possible shot at the Lions as part of his AUNZ Invitational XV squad to play on Saturday in Adelaide.
But, unlike in the first and only combined side to play in 1989, there is a strong New Zealand flavour.
Blues hooker Kurt Eklund and Chiefs prop George Dyer were confirmed on Monday, joining Crusaders captain David Havili and fellow All Blacks Aidan Ross, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape and Shannon Frizell in the squad.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Marika Koroibete and Pete Samu had already been named while fringe Wallabies Angus Blyth, Darby Lancaster, Jock Campbell and Tane Edmed were among those Australians included for the Adelaide Oval clash.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Seru Uru, all genuine Wallabies chances to face the Lions later in the series, will push their cases in camp.
In all, 18 players with a combined 300 international caps of experience will trot out on Saturday to provide a stern test to the Lions, who will have met the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday.
Kiss will have the support of former All Blacks coach Ian Foster as well as Force boss Simon Cron and Reds assistant Zane Hilton.
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“There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to build this squad and it’s exciting to see it come together,” Kiss said.
“We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand.
“Each of them has a lot to play for and there’s a real sense of anticipation about the unique opportunity in front of us.
“As the first AUNZ side to be assembled in 36 years, we have the chance to do something pretty special here in Adelaide.”
AUNZ Invitational XV squad: Aidan Ross, AJ Lam, Angus Blyth, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Daniel Botha, Darby Lancaster, David Havili, Folau Fakatava, George Dyer, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Hoskins Sotutu, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jock Campbell, Joe Brial, Joey Walton, Joshua Fusitu’a, Kalani Thomas, Kurt Eklund, Lachlan Anderson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Mac Grealy, Marika Koroibete, Matt Philip, Ngani Laumape, Pete Samu, Richie Asiata, Seru Uru, Shannon Frizell, Shaun Stevenson, Tane Edmed.
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Kick-off: 20.00 (11.00 BST; 10.00 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
